1
: the observances held for a dead person usually before burial or cremation
2
chiefly dialectal
: a funeral sermon
3
: a funeral procession
4
: an end of something's existence
5
: a situation for which one will have to suffer the consequences
If you flunk, it's your funeral.
Examples of funeral in a Sentence
Adjective
a slow and heavy funeral song
Noun
Only family attended the funeral.
His funeral will be held on Friday.
His cousin made the funeral arrangements.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yousef Murad, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Waiting ultimately allowed Dews to attend the repast, a post-funeral gathering among family and friends.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Fears also said Brown’s standing in the gospel community was evident at his funeral, which included a musical tribute during the homegoing service.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for funeral
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Adjective
As the funeral procession got underway and the crowds swelled, a small group of supporters took Seif al-Islam’s coffin away and later performed the funeral prayers and buried him.
—Yousef Murad, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Waiting ultimately allowed Dews to attend the repast, a post-funeral gathering among family and friends.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
The veteran, who was not identified in court, was later given a funeral with full military honors at Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
—Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Fears also said Brown’s standing in the gospel community was evident at his funeral, which included a musical tribute during the homegoing service.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for funeral
Cite this Entry
“Funeral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funeral. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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