Obsequies

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɔbsɪ.kwiːz/

Definitions

1. A set of ceremonial practices or rituals that are conducted in remembrance of the dead commonly embodies the solemn expressions of grief and respect for the deceased's life
2. The formal rites associated with honoring someone who has passed away include various traditions and ceremonies that reflect the culture of mourning in society
3. A series of traditional rites and ceremonies performed to commemorate a deceased individual typically signify deep sorrow and respect from the community

Etymology: "Obsequies" is the plural of "obsequy," a word that came into Middle English as "obsequias" and "obsequyes," borrowed from Latin "obsequiae." The Latin noun meant funeral rites, and it is a close relative of "obsequium," meaning compliance or deference, which reflects the older idea of following or yielding to someone. In the Latin word, the sense of dutiful attention to the living and the dead was bound together, and the funeral was seen as the final act of loyalty owed to a person. English kept that funereal sense while the singular "obsequy" faded from everyday use, leaving the plural as the form people still meet. Its persistence is largely due to the set phrase "funeral obsequies," which has kept the plural alive long after the singular became rare.

Synonyms: funeral rites, burial ceremonies