What refers to the act of disposing of a deceased body without formal rites?

The term that refers to the act of disposing of a deceased body without formal rites is direct disposition. This process typically involves the handling of the body without the traditional ceremonies or rituals associated with funerals. For example, direct disposition might include immediate burial or cremation without holding a funeral service or memorial.

Cremation, interment, and funeral services all involve some degree of ritual or formalities. Cremation usually follows specific procedures and may include ceremonies, while interment refers to the act of burial, which is often accompanied by specific rites. A funeral service is a formal ceremony that honors the deceased and provides a way for friends and family to say their goodbyes, making it distinctly different from direct disposition. Therefore, the choice of direct disposition accurately emphasizes the absence of formal rites in the disposal of a deceased body.