The origin of the word hearse dates back to the late thirteenth century in English. Initially, it referred to a framework placed under a coffin for decorative purposes. By the sixteenth century, it evolved to describe a structure used by pallbearers to transport coffins. Around 1650, it began to be associated with carriages used in funeral processions, leading to its modern usage. The term originates from the French word herce, which meant “harrow” or “portcullis”, visually resembling the early frameworks. This French word can be traced back to the Latin hirpex, also meaning “harrow”, possibly derived from a non-Italic word for “wolf” due to wolves’ spiky teeth resembling harrows.
