Which type of remains primarily consist of small bone fragments after cremation?

Cremated remains, often referred to as cremains, are the material that is left after the cremation process. During cremation, the body is subjected to intense heat, which reduces it to small bone fragments and fine particles. These remains are primarily composed of inorganic material such as calcium phosphate from the bones, which can vary in texture and appearance depending on the cremation process and individual characteristics of the remains.

Cremated remains are typically processed further by a mechanical device to achieve a uniform texture, which may lead people to describe them as 'ashes,' though they consist of bone fragments rather than the soft ash one might associate with other types of combustion. The term "cremated remains" specifically highlights that the remains consist largely of these small bone fragments, making this choice the most accurate answer to the question posed.

In contrast, unprocessed ashes may imply materials that have not been further refined, which does not accurately reflect the state of remains following a complete cremation. Natural remains refer to uncremated bodies, and embalmed remains indicate bodies that have undergone the preservation process but have not been cremated, thus not applicable in this context.