Word

burial

noun C1

/ˈbɛɹi.əl/

Meanings

noun

the act or ceremony of placing a dead body in a grave

noun

the fact of something being covered or hidden under a layer of earth, sand, snow, or other material

Definition

A burial is the act of placing a dead body in a grave as part of a funeral.

A burial is the ceremony and process of putting a dead person’s body into the ground. It often includes a funeral service, a procession to a cemetery, and the final placing of the coffin in the grave. The word can also refer to the event itself, not only the physical act.

Examples

The burial took place at dawn, with only close family present to keep the moment private.
After the storm, their village organized a burial for the victims and a quiet vigil in the square.
He couldn’t attend the burial, but he sent a handwritten letter to the family expressing his condolences.
I found the burial unexpectedly moving, especially when the choir’s final notes faded into the wind.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse burial with funeral, but burial is specifically the placing of the body in the grave, while the funeral can include other ceremonies.