chief mourner
The person who presides over a funeral and is responsible for the proceedings, typically the closest family member of the deceased.
At the funeral, the chief mourner gave a speech.
The eldest son took on the role of chief mourner.
At the end of the funeral, the chief mourner gave a speech of thanks.
She greeted the mourners in her capacity as chief mourner.
Compound of 喪 (mo, 'mourning') and 主 (shu, 'master' or 'chief'). The reading is on'yomi.