funeral rites

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   The traditional ceremonies and actions performed when someone is buried or cremated.

   Grammar: Always plural in this phrase; say "the funeral rites were simple", not "the funeral rite were".

   Patterns

   • perform funeral rites
   • funeral rites for someone
   • traditional funeral rites

   The family gathered to perform the funeral rites according to local custom.

   Funeral rites for the village elder lasted three days.

   In many cultures, funeral rites include prayers, music, and a shared meal.

2. 2nounpluralformal

   The religious or customary ceremony held for a dead person in a particular faith or society.

   Grammar: Used with a possessive or "of" phrase to name the tradition: "the funeral rites of the Catholic Church".

   Patterns

   • the funeral rites of a religion
   • Christian funeral rites
   • ancient funeral rites

   She studied the funeral rites of ancient Egypt.

   The priest explained the funeral rites of the church to the visitors.

   Different regions have different funeral rites, even within one country.

Common combinations

perform funeral rites

A priest was called to perform the funeral rites.

traditional funeral rites

Traditional funeral rites vary widely across the region.

funeral rites for someone

They arranged the funeral rites for their grandfather.

religious funeral rites

Religious funeral rites often include readings and songs.

attend funeral rites

Hundreds of people came to attend the funeral rites.

Synonyms and how they differ

funeral ceremony

A more everyday phrase for the same event; "funeral rites" sounds more formal and stresses the set of customs.

obsequies

A very formal, literary word for funeral ceremonies; it is much rarer than "funeral rites".

last rites

Refers specifically to religious prayers said for a dying person, not to the whole burial ceremony.

Word family

funeral noun

The ceremony and burial or cremation of a dead person.

funereal adjective

Suitable for or suggesting a funeral; gloomy and solemn.

rite noun

A formal or religious ceremony, especially a traditional one.

Commonly confused: funeral rites or last rites? funeral rites or rights?

Practice

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