Do Hindus bury their dead so that the soul may return to Mother Earth?

Hindus primarily practice cremation as a means of disposing of the dead, which they believe helps the soul to move on to its next life, rather than returning to Mother Earth. The act of cremation is seen as a way to release the soul from the physical body, allowing it to achieve moksha, or liberation. While some sects or communities may choose burial, this is generally less common in Hindu traditions. The focus is on the transformation of the body through fire rather than interment in the ground.