catafalque

American  

[kat-uh-fawk, -fawlk, -falk] / ˈkæt əˌfɔk, -ˌfɔlk, -ˌfælk /

noun

1. a raised structure on which the body of a deceased person lies or is carried in state.

2. a hearse.

---

catafalque British  

/ ˈkætəˌfælk /

noun

1. a temporary raised platform on which a body lies in state before or during a funeral

---

Etymology

Origin of catafalque

1635–45; < French < Italian catafalco < Late Latin *catafalicum scaffold, equivalent to cata- cata- + fal ( a ) wooden siege tower + -icum, neuter of -icus -ic

Example Sentences

He has also scrapped the tradition of placing the Pope's body on a raised platform - known as a catafalque - in St Peter's Basilica for public viewing.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

Unlike at many such events, people were allowed to move at an unhurried pace, flowing in concentric circles around the casket set atop the same catafalque used in 1865 to hold Abraham Lincoln’s body.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2025

As of Tuesday night, about 135,000 people had filed past the former pope, who has been lying in state without any papal regalia on a catafalque, a raised bier, before the basilica's main altar.

From Reuters • Jan. 4, 2023

Many held their phones aloft while approaching the catafalque.

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2023

A catafalque carrying Harrison’s black casket led the cortege and was followed immediately by Harrison’s beloved Kentucky mare, stirrups crossed on its empty saddle.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson