慰 霊 祭(いれいさい)

いれいさい

noun

memorial service; ceremony to console the spirits of the dead

1. memorial service; ceremony to console the spirits of the dead

A formal ceremony held to honor and comfort the spirits of deceased persons, often those who died in wars, disasters, or accidents.

毎年(まいとし)慰霊祭(いれいさい)が行(おこな)われる。

A memorial service is held every year.

戦没者(せんぼつしゃ)のための慰霊祭(いれいさい)に参列(さんれつ)した。

I attended a memorial service for those who died in the war.

震災(しんさい)から十年(じゅうねん)が経(た)ち、地元(じもと)で慰霊祭(いれいさい)が開(ひら)かれた。

Ten years after the earthquake disaster, a memorial service was held locally.

A compound of 慰霊(いれい) (consoling the spirits of the dead) and 祭(さい) (ceremony/festival). These ceremonies are held for victims of wars, natural disasters, accidents, and other tragedies. They are distinct from personal funeral rites and typically serve a communal or public commemorative function.

Common collocations

慰霊祭(いれいさい)を行(おこな)う: to hold a memorial service
慰霊祭(いれいさい)に参列(さんれつ)する: to attend a memorial service
戦没者(せんぼつしゃ)慰霊祭(いれいさい): memorial for war dead
合同(ごうどう)慰霊祭(いれいさい): joint memorial service

Related words

慰霊碑(いれいひ): memorial monument/cenotaph
追悼式(ついとうしき): memorial ceremony — more secular in nuance
法要(ほうよう): Buddhist memorial service — specifically Buddhist ritual

Related Words

Related: 慰霊碑(いれいひ) (memorial monument/cenotaph)

Related: 追悼式(ついとうしき) (memorial ceremony)

Related: 法要(ほうよう) (Buddhist memorial service)

general

Added 2026.5.7 21:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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