A requiem is a special musical composition written to honor someone who has died. The word comes from the Latin phrase “requiem aeternam,” meaning “eternal rest,” which are the opening words of the traditional Catholic funeral Mass.

Composers throughout history have created requiems as some of their most powerful and moving works. Mozart's Requiem, which he was composing when he died in 1791, is one of the most famous pieces of classical music ever written. Brahms, Verdi, and Fauré each composed their own requiems, each expressing grief, hope, and remembrance in their own way.

A requiem typically includes sections with Latin names like Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) and Lux Aeterna (Eternal Light), combining solemn, dramatic passages with peaceful, comforting ones. These pieces can last anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour and often involve orchestras, choirs, and soloists performing together.

People sometimes use the word more broadly to mean any work created in memory of someone or something that has ended. A writer might compose a requiem for a demolished historic building, or a poet might write a requiem for a lost way of life. In this sense, a requiem is both a farewell and a way of making sure something important isn't forgotten.