You may wonder how the word undertaker made the transition from "one who undertakes" to "one who makes a living in the funeral business." The latter meaning descends from the use of the word to mean "one who takes on business responsibilities." In the 18th century, a funeral-undertaker was someone who undertook, or managed, a funeral business. There were many undertakers in those days, undertaking all sorts of businesses, but as time went on undertaker became specifically identified with the profession of arranging burial. Today, funeral director is more commonly used, but undertaker still appears.
the undertaker wore black clothes and a solemn expression
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What started with a desperate call to the town undertaker evolved into teens spending hours dialing 867-5309 and asking for Jenny, in accordance with the popular '80s song--an unfortunate coincidence for anyone who had the number.—👁 Image Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026 Theirs is a community so small that Jacob does triple duty as its sheriff, preacher and undertaker, roles that circumstances will shortly consolidate in unhappy fashion.—👁 Image Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026 One character, an undertaker, notices that death seems to have been suspended.—👁 Image Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026 When a deadly epidemic and threatening wildfire spread chaos, Jacob – serving as sheriff, undertaker, and pastor – must fight to save his town, his family, and his soul.—👁 Image Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undertaker
