funerary

American  

[fyoo-nuh-rer-ee] / ˈfju nəˌrɛr i /

adjective

1. of or relating to a funeral or burial.

   a funerary urn.

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funerary British  

/ ˈfjuːnərərɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or for a funeral

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Etymology

Origin of funerary

First recorded in 1685–95, funerary is from the Late Latin word fūnerārius of, relating to a funeral. See funeral, -ary

Explanation

Use the word funerary for things that have to do with funerals or other burial ceremonies. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs had complex funerary rituals, including mummification, to ensure they would be immortal. Funerary shares a root with funeral, the Latin funus, which means "burial rites," and also "death or corpse." When people talk about funerary practices, they mean the different ways cultures, religions, or even individual families mark the death of loved ones and relatives. Funerary traditions can involve burial, cremation, wearing black, singing hymns, wailing, displaying photos of the deceased person, saying prayers, or dancing.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

funerary

Behind it was the vault that once contained almost 2,000 objects of 24-carat gold, gem-ornamented Nabatean funerary figures and ancient jewelry from the Kingdom of Kush.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Ghassan Daghlas, the governor of the Nablus region, which includes Tell, attended a funerary prayer at the Nabuls hospital where the bodies lay before the burial, his office said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

Both share an interest in funerary art, which provides insights into beliefs about beauty, the afterlife, and everyday life.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 25, 2026

"We are aware of the growing interest in alternative funerary methods and we will respond to the Law Commission's report in due course," said an official.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026

Usually sages did not perform funerary rites; that responsibility typically fell to village greenwitches or, in the cities, to specialists.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo