Reburied - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

burial action

Reburied refers to the act of burying something again after it has already been buried previously. This term is often used in the context of human remains or grave sites that need to be relocated or reinterred due to various reasons, such as construction work or to honor a new burial site. The process usually involves exhuming the remains from the original burial site and then placing them into a new grave. Reburial can also apply to other objects that required previous burial.

Synonyms

rebury, reinter, reinterred.

Examples of usage

The remains were reburied in a new cemetery.
After the excavation, the artifacts were carefully reburied.
Due to the construction, the ancient bones had to be reburied.
The historic site required the remains to be reburied to preserve it.

Interesting Facts

Archaeology

Reburying artifacts is a common practice in archaeology to protect them after study or to respect cultural practices of indigenous peoples.
Some archaeologists choose to rebury sites after excavation to preserve historical integrity and protect them from damage or looting.
The concept of reburying is essential in discussions about repatriation, where culturally significant items are returned to their place of origin.

Cultural Practices

In many cultures, the practice of reburying ancestors is a way to honor and remember them, often tied to religious or spiritual beliefs.
Ceremonies involving reburying can symbolize closure for families, especially when bones or other remains are moved for respectful reasons.
In Japan, some rural communities participate in Obon, where they rebury the ashes of family members, believing this invites their spirits back home.

Literature

Reburial often serves as a powerful symbol in literature, representing themes of loss, remembrance, or the cyclical nature of life and death.
In many stories, the act of reburying a loved one's remains can signify healing or the acceptance of grief, bringing peace to characters.
Notable works have explored the reburial of historical figures – for example, the return and reburial of King Richard III ignited discussions on identity and legacy.

Psychology

The psychological aspect of reburial can relate to closure, as the act often involves rituals that help individuals process grief and loss.
Reburying can also be tied to the concept of memory – where individuals bury something not just physically, but mentally, to forget a painful experience.
Studies show that rituals, including reburial, can aid in emotional healing by providing a structured way to confront and release feelings associated with loss.

Origin of 'reburied'

Main points about word origin

The word 'rebury' combines 're-' meaning again, and 'bury,' which comes from the Old English 'byrgian', meaning to conceal or bury.
The prefix 're-' is often used in English to indicate doing something a second time, like 'redo' or 'retake'.
The use of 'bury' and its variants can be traced back to languages like German and Dutch, reflecting common ancestry in the Germanic language family.

The word 'rebury' is formed by combining the prefix 're-', which means again, with the root word 'bury', which stems from the Old English 'byrgan'. The action of burying has significant historical implications, often tied to cultural and religious practices surrounding death and remembrance. Historically, many cultures have specific rituals for burial and reburial, sometimes due to the need for relocation or honoring the deceased. The term itself reflects the necessity to perform this solemn act more than once, often indicating a change in circumstances or conditions surrounding the original burial site. Throughout history, reburials have often been conducted with care and respect, reflecting the cultural importance of the final resting place.

Reburied Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations