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
Jones’ homegoing services will take place Thursday at noon at the First Cathedral at 1151 Blue Hills Ave.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Jackson’s family described the service Saturday not as a funeral but as a homegoing.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
The service at the House of Hope, a megachurch on Chicago's South Side, is drawing a roster of luminaries to help Jackson's family observe a homegoing for the late civil rights leader.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
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
This homegoing is open to the public and will have general admission seating, no ticket needed.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
After South Carolina, Jackson will be returned to Chicago for a large celebration of life gathering at a megachurch and the final homegoing services at the headquarters of Rainbow PUSH.
—Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
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Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Jackson’s family described the service Saturday not as a funeral but as a homegoing.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
The service at the House of Hope, a megachurch on Chicago's South Side, is drawing a roster of luminaries to help Jackson's family observe a homegoing for the late civil rights leader.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
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
This homegoing is open to the public and will have general admission seating, no ticket needed.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
After South Carolina, Jackson will be returned to Chicago for a large celebration of life gathering at a megachurch and the final homegoing services at the headquarters of Rainbow PUSH.
—Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Homegoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homegoing. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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