chief mourner
Primary funeral lamenter
The chief mourner is the person who leads the grieving at a funeral, typically the closest relative of the deceased—a spouse, parent, or eldest child.
This person traditionally occupies the position of honor nearest the casket and receives condolences on behalf of the family: As chief mourner, she sat in the front pew throughout the service.
- bereavedDeprived by death
- next of kinNearest living family members
- widowBereaved wife, unmarried since
- widowerMan whose wife died
- funeralService honoring the dead
funeral home · front pew · coffin · open casket · graveside · eulogy · final farewell · black · black dress · veil · weeping · procession · paying respects · pallbearer · hearse · grief · loss · ceremony
- mournersgriever, grieving parent, grievers, widow, bereaved
- funeral rolespallbearer, officiant, funeral director, eulogist, undertaker
chief mournerguest of honor
Celebrated person at event
celebrant · master of ceremonies · bride · groom · newlywed
chief, mourner, chiefs, chiefly, chieftain, chieftaincy, mourn, mourns, mourned