noun
cremated remains; ashes; bones
Primarily refers to the bone fragments collected after cremation, but can also refer to the ashes in general. Common in funeral and memorial contexts.
祖母の遺骨を墓に納めた。
We placed my grandmother's cremated remains in the grave.
遺骨を拾うのはつらい経験だった。
Picking up the bones after cremation was a painful experience.
noun
remains of war dead
Used specifically for the remains of soldiers or civilians who died in war, often in the context of recovery and repatriation.
戦没者の遺骨が故郷に戻された。
The remains of the war dead were returned to their hometown.