ETYM Contraction of Lat. dirige, direct thou (imperative of dirigere), the first word of a funeral hymn. Related to Direct, Dirige.
A song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person; SYN. coronach, lament, requiem, threnody.
Song of lamentation for the dead. A poem of mourning is usually called an elegy.

ETYM Latin lamentum. Related to Lament.
A cry of sorrow and grief; SYN. lamentation, plaint, wail.