funeral

1 of 2

adjective

fu·​ner·​al ˈfyü-nə-rəl 

ˈfyün-rəl

1

: of, relating to, or constituting a funeral

funeral rites

2

: funereal sense 2

funeral

2 of 2

noun

1

: the observances held for a dead person usually before burial or cremation

2

chiefly dialectal : a funeral sermon

3

: a funeral procession

4

: an end of something's existence

5

: a situation for which one will have to suffer the consequences

If you flunk, it's your funeral.

Synonyms of funeral

Adjective

• weeping
• mournful
• grieving
• heartbroken
• wailing
• bitter

Examples of funeral in a Sentence

Adjective

a slow and heavy funeral song

Noun

Only family attended the funeral.

His funeral will be held on Friday.

His cousin made the funeral arrangements.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Borders’ widower, Ben Oliver, and sister, Angela Borders, organized a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026

Family members have set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses. —Steve Large, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Noun

On hand to officiate at the brief Catholic service was Reverend Charles J O’Byrne of New York’s Church of St Ignatius Loyola, where John’s mother Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s funeral was held in 1994. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2026

Speakers and performers at his funeral Saturday — a group that included his children, singer Stevie Wonder and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa — came to do both. —Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Late Latin funeralis, from Latin funer-, funus funeral (noun)

Noun

Middle English funerelles (plural), from Middle French funerailles (plural), from Medieval Latin funeralia (plural), from Late Latin, neuter plural of funeralis, adjective

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing funeral

• funeral director
• funeral home
• it's (someone's) funeral

Kids Definition

funeral

noun

fu·​ner·​al

ˈfyün-(ə-)rəl

: the ceremonies held for a dead person (as before burial)

funeral adjective