The Significance and History of Pyres in Different Cultures and Religions

A pyre is a structure, usually made of wood, upon which offerings are placed and burned as part of a religious or ceremonial ritual. The term can also refer to the actual burning of such offerings, as well as the ceremony itself.
Pyres have been used in various cultures and religions throughout history, often as a way of honoring the dead, making offerings to deities, or marking important life events. In some traditions, pyres are believed to have purifying or transformative properties, and may be used to release the spirit of the deceased into the afterlife.
In modern times, the term "pyre" is sometimes used metaphorically to describe any grand or dramatic burning of something, such as a bonfire or a funeral pyre.