dearly departed
Those who died
Dearly departed is a euphemism for someone who has died, typically used in funeral contexts or when speaking respectfully of the dead: We gather to remember our dearly departed.
The phrase treats death as a departure rather than an ending, softening the finality.
It can sound formal or old-fashioned, sometimes used with gentle irony.
- deceasedNo longer living
- belovedOne who is treasured
- passed awayDied, said gently
- passedWent beyond or succeeded
- goneNo longer present
mourning · funeral · loss · grief · remembrance · eulogy · memorial · coffin · laid to rest · grave · six feet under · cherished · loved ones · loved · missed · heaven · rest · peace
- memorialsmemorial, memorial service, memorial statue, memorials, war memorial
life status
dearly departedthe quick
Alive, or tender nailbed
survivors · still with us · alive and well · flesh and blood
dear, dearer, dearest, dearly, dearness, endear, endearing, endearment, depart