'funerary' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'funerarius', where 'funus' meant 'funeral or funeral rites'.

'funerary' changed from the Late Latin word 'funerarius' through Old French 'funeraire' and Middle English and eventually became the modern English word 'funerary'.

Initially, it meant 'of or relating to funerals', and over time this meaning has remained largely the same in modern usage.