funeral

n. [ LL. funeralia, prop. neut. pl. of funeralis of a funeral, fr. L. funus, funeris, funeral: cf. F. funérailles. ] 1. The solemn rites used in the disposition of a dead human body, whether such disposition be by interment, burning, or otherwise; esp., the ceremony or solemnization of interment; obsequies; burial; -- formerly used in the plural. [ 1913 Webster ]

King James his funerals were performed very solemnly in the collegiate church at Westminster. Euller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The procession attending the burial of the dead; the show and accompaniments of an interment. “The long funerals.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A funeral sermon; -- usually in the plural. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Mr. Giles Lawrence preached his funerals. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. funeralis. See Funeral, n. ] Pertaining to a funeral; used at the interment of the dead; as, funeral rites, honors, or ceremonies. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Funeral pile or
Funeral pyre, a structure of combustible material, upon which a dead body is placed to be reduced to ashes, as part of a funeral rite; a pyre.

-- Fu"ner*al*ly, adv. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]

n. An establishment, usually commercial, where the bodies of dead persons are prepared for viewing before burial or cremation; called also funeral parlor, mortuary, funeral chapel and informally, undertaker's. The body may or may not be preserved by embalming before viewing or burial, and in some cases the body is not exposed for viewing, though present in a casket. Often, some form of memorial service is held for the deceased at the funeral home, where friends and relatives may come to pay their respects to the dead, and express condolence to the family. The work of preparation of the body and many other arrangements related to the funeral and burial are carried out by an undertaker or mortician who manages the funeral home. [ PJC ]