homegoing
noun
home·go·ing
ˈhōm-ˌgō-iŋ
-ˌgȯ(-)iŋ
plural homegoings
chiefly US, especially in the culture of African Americans
: a person's death understood as a return to home
Even during 16 years of disability …, his life was filled with joy. The celebration of his homegoing will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 4 …—The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
often
: a service marking a person's death
Those who gather at Poitier's Funeral Home on Friday night for Hubert Lee's homegoing greet each other with open arms and smiles. —Deborah Work
These homegoings are among the most recent public memorials that reinforce a long legacy in the African American community. Going as far back as slavery, they were the only way for Black people to bury their loved ones. Slaves viewed death as the only true way to be free as they could not return to their native Africa; death meant their souls could go home to the Lord. —Candice Frederick
—often used before another noun a homegoing service/celebration
Cite this Entry
“Homegoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homegoing. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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