funeral
Loading your saved state.
funeral
The solemn ceremony at which a deceased person is buried or laid to rest; a burial. The term is considered formal or slightly old-fashioned.
Die ganze Familie versammelte sich zum Begräbnis des Großvaters.
The whole family gathered for the grandfather's funeral.
The word 'Begräbnis' (funeral/burial) is derived from the verb 'begraben' (to bury). The ending '-nis' turns the verb into a noun that describes the action or event itself.
Die Familie musste den Hund im Garten begraben.
The family had to bury the dog in the garden.
'Begräbnis' (funeral) belongs to a formal or literary style of language. You often find it in official announcements, in literature, or when you want to sound especially respectful.
In der Todesanzeige wurde Ort und Zeit des Begräbnisses bekannt gegeben.
The place and time of the funeral were announced in the obituary.
Pay attention to the prepositions: you go 'zum Begräbnis' (to the funeral; destination) and take part 'am Begräbnis' (in/at the funeral; participation in the event).
Er reiste extra aus dem Ausland an, um am Begräbnis teilzunehmen.
He traveled specially from abroad to attend the funeral.
burial / funeral
Beerdigung and Begräbnis can refer to the same solemn farewell ceremony with a burial. Beerdigung is the neutral, everyday choice. Begräbnis, by contrast, sounds more formal or slightly old-fashioned and is more suitable for correspondingly solemn language.
Die feierliche Mitteilung nennt morgen als Termin für das Begräbnis unseres Nachbarn.
The formal announcement lists tomorrow as the date for our neighbor’s funeral.
Wir fahren morgen zur Beerdigung unseres Nachbarn.
We are going to our neighbor’s funeral tomorrow.
