mourner

American  

[mawr-ner, mohr-] / ˈmɔr nər, ˈmoʊr- /

noun

1. a person who mourns.

2. a person who attends a funeral to mourn for the deceased.

3. (at religious revival meetings) a person who professes penitence for sin, with desire for salvation.

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mourner British  

/ ˈmɔːnə /

noun

1. a person who mourns, esp at a funeral

2. (at US revivalist meetings) a person who repents publicly

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Etymology

Origin of mourner

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at mourn, -er ¹

Explanation

Anyone who is grieving for a person who has died is a mourner. Funerals give mourners the opportunity to remember and say goodbye to a loved one. While a mourner is anyone who mourns someone's death, the word is often used to mean "person attending a funeral." In some cultures, throughout history, professional mourners were people who were hired to publicly display their grief at the funeral of some well-known figure. Today, most mourners are family members and friends — people who knew the person well and grieve their death.

Example Sentences

Another mourner cited the product’s affordability, lamenting that Minute Maid’s frozen juice concentrates were “a must” for households that relied on WIC/SNAP benefits.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2026

"I wasn't there myself, but I had many friends and relatives who were," said one young mourner, who gave his surname as Orosstevic.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

One mourner called KitKat ‘the best city bodega cat anyone could ever ask for. His lil pet requests meant a lot for some of us.’

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

"She was a lady that never did harm. She was very peaceful and hard-working," said one mourner as family, friends and colleagues gathered for a big funeral at her local mosque.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

There were no workmen on the site, only Ralph, a lone mourner.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Related Words

• pallbearer