Norwegian Word of the Day: Gravferd

With the state funeral of King Harald V dominating Norwegian headlines, this is an essential term to know.

Gravferd means funeral in English. The root of the word is grav (grave), a prefix you will notice across many terms associated with funerals and burials. For example:

The second half of the word comes from ferd, which means "journey" or "travel".

However, if you’ve studied Norwegian, you probably learned that begravelse means "funeral." So, what’s the difference between begravelse and gravferd?

Begravelse is used in everyday conversation for a traditional burial service where the casket is lowered into the ground, while gravferd is the term used in Norwegian law, media, and formal contexts.

According to Store norske leksikon, there is an even bigger distinction. Gravferd i s a broader umbrella term that encompasses different types of funeral services, including both a begravelse and a bisettelse (a service held prior to cremation).

Kong Harald Vs gravferd onsdag 9. september var svært rørende.

King Harald V’s funeral on Wednesday, September 9 was very moving.

Hele kongefamilien var til stede under kong Haralds gravferd.

The entire royal family was present at King Harald’s funeral.