# undertaker

/ˈəndɝˌteɪkɝ/ (US) · /ˌʌndətˈeɪkɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/undertaker
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a person whose job is to organize funerals and prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation.

For teachers: a professional responsible for the preparation of the deceased for burial or cremation and the management of funeral arrangements.

## Examples

- The undertaker arrived to help the family with the funeral plans.
- After the grandfather passed away, the family contacted a local undertaker to handle the service and the burial.
- While the term is increasingly replaced by 'funeral director' in formal contexts, the local undertaker remains a respected figure who provides essential support to grieving families in the community.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in British English; in American English, 'funeral director' or 'mortician' is often preferred for a more modern register.

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