homegoing
noun
home·go·ing
ˈhōm-ˌgō-iŋ 
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ
plural homegoings
chiefly US, especially in the culture of African Americans
: a person's death understood as a return to home
Even during 16 years of disability …, his life was filled with joy. The celebration of his homegoing will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 4 …—
The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
also
: a service marking a person's death
Those who gather at Poitier's Funeral Home on Friday night for Hubert Lee's homegoing greet each other with open arms and smiles. —Deborah Work
Deborah Work These homegoings are among the most recent public memorials that reinforce a long legacy in the African American community. Going as far back as slavery, they were the only way for Black people to bury their loved ones. Slaves viewed death as the only true way to be free as they could not return to their native Africa; death meant their souls could go home to the Lord. —Candice Frederick
—often used before another noun Candice Frederick a homegoing service/celebration
Examples of homegoing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The public homegoing services will be officiated by Charles Jenkins and Rev. James T. Meeks, with speakers including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
His final homegoing service will be back in Chicago on March 7.
—Debbie Elliott, NPR, 26 Feb. 2026
Cross-country memorial services continue in Washington and South Carolina before culminating with celebrations of life and homegoing services in Chicago next week.
—Sophia Tareen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
But these homegoing services are welcome to all; Democrat, Republican, Liberal, and Conservative, right wing, left wing, because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Fears also said Brown’s standing in the gospel community was evident at his funeral, which included a musical tribute during the homegoing service.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
The library will mark the anniversary week of Billy Graham’s homegoing with giveaways, bookstore discounts and a featured Dairy Bar special.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
At D’Angelo’s November 1st homegoing ceremony at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico, Virginia, his funeral was as emotionally heartfelt as it was grounded like the VA Naïve Son himself.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
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Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
His final homegoing service will be back in Chicago on March 7.
—Debbie Elliott, NPR, 26 Feb. 2026
Cross-country memorial services continue in Washington and South Carolina before culminating with celebrations of life and homegoing services in Chicago next week.
—Sophia Tareen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
But these homegoing services are welcome to all; Democrat, Republican, Liberal, and Conservative, right wing, left wing, because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Fears also said Brown’s standing in the gospel community was evident at his funeral, which included a musical tribute during the homegoing service.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
The library will mark the anniversary week of Billy Graham’s homegoing with giveaways, bookstore discounts and a featured Dairy Bar special.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
At D’Angelo’s November 1st homegoing ceremony at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico, Virginia, his funeral was as emotionally heartfelt as it was grounded like the VA Naïve Son himself.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Homegoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homegoing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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