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; 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

"It could have been my son, quite simply," said one mourner, Mina, welling up with tears.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

"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

“We’ll never forget you or the path you created for others!” cried out one mourner as the crowd dressed in black and white made its way from the church to the cemetery.

From Seattle Times • May 28, 2024

The woman reminded Josie’s father of a mourner at a funeral, and even five years after his wife’s death, that felt right to him.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• pallbearer