funeral pyre
Corpse burning stack
A funeral pyre is a pile of wood on which a corpse is burned as part of a burial rite.
The practice is ancient and widespread, still common in Hindu tradition.
The word pyre alone usually implies this funerary context: They lit the pyre at sunset.
Figuratively, something consigned to the flames meets its end: the funeral pyre of his political career.
Formal ceremonial acts
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- offeringsThings presented or given
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- sacredWorthy of reverence
veneration · purification · afterlife · reincarnation · libation · obsequies · viking · incantations
Burned matter's residue
- embersSmoldering fire remnants
- flamesVisible burning combustion
- smokeAirborne combustion byproduct
- burningCombustion in progress
kindling · firewood · combustion · incineration · charred · smolder · blaze · ignite
Tribute for the dead
- pallbearersFuneral procession carriers
- processionFormal moving line
- last ritesSacrament for the dying
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
wake · obituary · reverend · chaplain · interment · cortege · casket · bier
Intense sorrow from loss
- lamentationPassionate expression of grief
- bereavementState following loss
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
- wailingProlonged mournful crying
keening · weeping · anguish · loss · heartache · grieving · condolences · widowhood
rites
Formal ceremonial acts
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- offeringsThings presented or given
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
sacred · veneration · purification · afterlife · reincarnation · libation · obsequies · viking · incantations · shaman
ashes
Burned matter's residue
burning · kindling · firewood · combustion · incineration · charred · smolder · blaze · ignite · immolation
eulogy
Tribute for the dead
- pallbearersFuneral procession carriers
- processionFormal moving line
- last ritesSacrament for the dying
memorial · wake · obituary · reverend · chaplain · interment · cortege · casket · bier · shroud
grief
Intense sorrow from loss
- lamentationPassionate expression of grief
- bereavementState following loss
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
wailing · keening · weeping · anguish · loss · heartache · grieving · condolences · widowhood · desolation
- ancient ritesritual sacrifice, human sacrifice, animal sacrifice, blood sacrifice, burnt offering
- Trojan WarTroy, Achilles, Hector, Helen, Odysseus
- fireflame, blaze, flames, inferno, embers
- funeral customsburial, cremation, casket, mourning, wakes
- funeralsburial, cremation, casket, coffin, eulogy
- VikingsViking, longships, longship, raiding, Norse settlers
funeral pyregrave
Serious and worrying
burial · tomb · earth burial · mausoleum · crypt
funeral pyrebirth ceremony
Rite marking new life
baptismal font · christening · naming ceremony · cradle · baby shower
funeral pyreeternal flame
Continuously burning memorial light
hearth fire · Olympic flame · sacred flame · Olympic torch · campfire