mourner

Everyday

A person who feels or shows sadness because someone has died, especially a person at a funeral. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and news mourners gather at a funeral, wear dark clothes and lay flowers. The word helps a reader see a sad, quiet scene. Linked words: mourn, mourning, grief.

Examples

• Hundreds of mourners came to the funeral. tree →
• The mourners stood quietly by the grave. tree →
• A mourner laid a bunch of white flowers. tree →
• The church was full of mourners. tree →
• Mourners shared happy memories of their grandad. tree →
• The mourners walked slowly behind the coffin. tree →
• Here the young chief mourner came to receive him. tree →

Note

From mourn + -er. Do not mix up with «morning» (early in the day): «mourning» means grieving. A mourner is not paid; «professional mourners» in some old customs were.

In Jewish tradition

A mourner is someone who grieves for the dead. God promises to comfort mourners in Isaiah.

Interpretation. Jewish law gives mourners special rules, such as sitting shiva for seven days and saying Kaddish. Comforting mourners is a duty of kindness.

Examples

• I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will lead him also, and requite with comforts him and his mourners. (Prophets ISA.57.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• I chose out their way, and sat as chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners. (Writings JOB.29.25, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

From mourn + -er. Do not mix up with «morning» (early in the day): «mourning» means grieving. A mourner is not paid; «professional mourners» in some old customs were.