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

Veronica, an elderly Italian mourner, who has lived in Crans-Montana for 40 years, wiped a stream of tears from her cheeks.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

"I have come here to mourn an icon of Africa," one mourner, Dixon Ochieng, told the BBC, while others could be heard to cry out "we are orphans" in their grief.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 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

Upon leaving, each mourner laid his or her flower over the casket.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• pallbearer