What term is used for the ceremonial act of placing a casket in a grave or tomb?

The term used for the ceremonial act of placing a casket in a grave or tomb is "interment." Interment encompasses the entire process of burying a deceased individual, which includes both the ceremony and the act of placing the body or casket in the ground. This term carries a specific connotation within mortuary practices, indicating the formal and respectful manner in which the deceased is laid to rest. It emphasizes the importance of this final rite as a means of honoring the deceased and providing closure for the family and loved ones.

In contrast, "burial" refers more broadly to the act of putting a body or casket into a grave, and while it is often used interchangeably with interment, it does not necessarily convey the ceremonial aspect. "Entombment" specifically refers to placing a body in a tomb or vault, which is a different method of disposition than interment. "Placement," although it may describe the physical act of putting the casket in the grave, lacks the formal and ceremonial implications that are inherent in the term "interment."