Totengedenken

commemoration of the dead

noun TO-ten-ge-denk-en Rare

Usage Note

Totengedenken is a formal act of remembrance for the deceased, held in religious services or civic ceremonies. It differs from a private memorial (Gedenken) in having a communal, often liturgical character; Volkstrauertag features a national Totengedenken.

Examples

"Das Totengedenken in der Kirche war von stiller Andacht geprägt."

Natural Translation

The commemoration of the dead in the church was marked by quiet devotion.

Literal Translation

The commemoration-of-the-dead in the church was by quiet devotion shaped.

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