Word

funeral

noun C1

UK /ˈfjuː.nə.ɹəl/

US /ˈfju.nəɹ.əl/

Meanings

noun

A ceremony held after someone’s death to honor them and say goodbye.

noun

The events and services connected with burying or cremating someone who has died.

Definition

A funeral is a ceremony held to honor and say goodbye to someone who has died.

A funeral is a formal event where family, friends, and the community gather after a person’s death. It often includes spoken tributes, music, prayers or readings, and a final farewell. Funerals can be religious or secular, and customs vary widely across cultures. Many funerals are followed by a burial or cremation ceremony.

Examples

I attended the funeral and was struck by how warmly people spoke about her life.
They kept the funeral small, inviting only close friends and immediate family.
He gave a calm, thoughtful tribute at the funeral despite his grief.
She couldn’t travel, so she watched the funeral via a private livestream from home.
We met after the funeral to share memories and support one another.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse funeral (the ceremony) with cemetery (the place where people are buried).