1. \Fu"ner*al\, n. [LL. funeralia, prop. neut. pl. of
   funeralis of a funeral, fr. L. funus, funeris, funeral: cf.
   F. fun['e]railles.]
   1. The solemn rites used in the disposition of a dead human
      body, whether such disposition be by interment, burning,
      or otherwise; esp., the ceremony or solemnization of
      interment; obsequies; burial; -- formerly used in the
      plural.
            King James his funerals were performed very solemnly
            in the collegiate church at Westminster. --Euller.
   2. The procession attending the burial of the dead; the show
      and accompaniments of an interment. ``The long funerals.''
      --Pope.
   3. A funeral sermon; -- usually in the plural. [Obs.]
            Mr. Giles Lawrence preached his funerals. --South.
   

2. \Fu"ner*al\, a. [LL. funeralis. See {Funeral}, n.]
   Per. taining to a funeral; used at the interment of the dead;
   as, funeral rites, honors, or ceremonies. --Shak.
   {Funeral pile}, a structure of combustible material, upon
      which a dead body is placed to be reduced to ashes, as
      part of a funeral rite; a pyre. -- {Fu"ner*al*ly}, adv.
      [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
   

Burying was among the Jews the only mode of disposing of corpses (Gen. 23:19; 25:9; 35:8, 9, etc.).

The first traces of burning the dead are found in 1 Sam. 31:12. The burning of the body was affixed by the law of Moses as a penalty to certain crimes (Lev. 20:14; 21:9).

To leave the dead unburied was regarded with horror (1 Kings 13:22; 14:11; 16:4; 21:24, etc.).

In the earliest times of which we have record kinsmen carried their dead to the grave (Gen. 25:9; 35:29; Judg. 16:31), but in later times this was done by others (Amos 6:16).

Immediately after decease the body was washed, and then wrapped in a large cloth (Acts 9:37; Matt. 27:59; Mark 15:46). In the case of persons of distinction, aromatics were laid on the folds of the cloth (John 19:39; comp. John 12:7).

As a rule the burial (q.v.) took place on the very day of the death (Acts 5:6, 10), and the body was removed to the grave in an open coffin or on a bier (Luke 7:14). After the burial a funeral meal was usually given (2 Sam. 3:35; Jer. 16:5, 7; Hos. 9:4).