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

The victim's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and the cost of transferring Korshunov's remains back to Ukraine. —Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026

The page has raised over $14,000 in donations with a goal of $18,000 to cover funeral costs. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026

Noun

Not long after Bubba's funeral, the men who killed him begin to perish in a series of mysterious accidents. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026

Carole and Michael have also attended major events like Queen Elizabeth's state funeral in 2022 and King Charles' coronation in 2023. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 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