What does the term "entombment" refer to?

The term "entombment" specifically refers to the act of placing a body in a vault or mausoleum. This term is commonly used in the context of above-ground interment, where the body is stored in a specially designed structure that protects it from the elements and is often a permanent resting place. Entombment signifies a distinct practice within the broader scope of burial methods, which can include traditional in-ground burial as well as cremation.

In contrast, burial in the ground is simply referred to as a burial, while cremation involves the reduction of the body to ashes and is a separate process entirely. The documentation of funeral service choices does not relate to the physical handling of remains, but rather to the administrative aspect of funeral arrangements. Thus, the definition of entombment aligns specifically with the placement of a body in a mausoleum or similar structure.