The word "burial" has an unusual spelling for its pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is written as "ˈbɛr.i.əl". The two syllables in the word are pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by an "r" sound, and ending with the schwa (ә) sound. The "i" between the two "r" sounds is silent and serves to indicate that the "r" sound should be pronounced twice. Despite its spelling challenges, "burial" is a common word used to describe the act of burying a corpse.
Burial is a noun that refers to the act or process of placing a dead body in the ground or in a tomb. It encompasses the various rituals, customs, and practices that are carried out to dispose of a deceased person's remains, ensuring their respectful internment.
Typically, a burial involves the preparation and positioning of the body in a coffin or casket, which is then placed in a grave dug in the earth or in an above-ground mausoleum. The process is often accompanied by religious or cultural ceremonies, prayers, and rites, which may vary depending on the specific beliefs and traditions of the community.
Burials serve several purposes, including providing closure for loved ones, honoring the deceased, and symbolizing the cycle of life and death. They offer a physical space for remembrance and commemoration, allowing people to pay their respects, grieve, and find solace. Burial grounds, such as cemeteries, graveyards, or memorial parks, often become significant cultural landmarks and spaces for remembrance and reflection.
While burial is a widely practiced method of disposing of human remains, it is not the only option. Cremation and other alternative methods have gained popularity in recent years, reflecting evolving cultural and environmental considerations. However, burial remains deeply entrenched in many cultures and is often regarded as a sacred and reverential act.
• The act of burying; interment.
• See under bury.
• The act of laying a dead body in the earth, in a tomb, in a vault, or among water, as at sea.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "burial" derives from the Old English word "byrgels" or "byrgen", which referred to a mound or barrow. In Old English, "byrgan" meant "to bury", and "byrgels" referred to the act of burying or a burial ceremony. This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "burgijaną" which meant "to place under". This in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "bheregh" meaning "to hide, protect". Over time, the word "byrgels" evolved into "burial" in Middle English and has remained relatively unchanged since then.