Translation guide
A speech given at a funeral or memorial service to honor and remember the deceased.
A formal speech delivered at a funeral or memorial service to pay tribute to the deceased.
The standard term for a memorial address, typically read aloud at a funeral by a representative of the bereaved family or a close friend.
葬儀で友人が心のこもった弔辞を読んだ。
At the funeral, a friend read a heartfelt memorial address.
A softer, more personal expression often used in less formal settings or when speaking to children. Literally 'words of farewell'.
お別れの言葉を述べるのはとても辛かった。
It was very painful to give the memorial address.
A more literary or formal term, often used in written programs or announcements rather than in everyday speech.
追悼の辞が述べられた後、参列者は献花を行った。
After the memorial address was delivered, attendees offered flowers.
In Japanese funerals, the memorial address (弔辞) is often read by a close friend, colleague, or family representative. It is usually written in formal, respectful language and may include personal anecdotes. Unlike some Western funerals, multiple people may give short addresses.