Polite noun for a funeral, using the honorific prefix お. Used in respectful contexts.
Yesterday, I attended my grandfather's funeral.
We will hold my grandfather's funeral next week.
I took a day off to attend my teacher's funeral.
Many people attended the funeral.
We decided to hold a small funeral with just the family.
葬式 is the plain, neutral word for a funeral, while お葬式 adds the honorific prefix お for a softer, more polite tone in everyday conversation.
告別式 refers specifically to the farewell ceremony portion of a funeral, whereas お葬式 covers the whole funeral event including rites and burial.
お通夜 is the wake held the night before, while お葬式 is the main funeral ceremony itself, so learners often mix up which event comes first.
Polite form of 葬式 (funeral) with the honorific prefix お.