almarhum

Almarhum is a Malay-language honorific used to refer to a deceased man. The feminine form is almarhumah, used before the name of a deceased woman. The term derives from Arabic al-marḥūm (المرحوم), meaning “the merciful” or “the one who has been granted mercy,” and is commonly used in obituaries, news reports, and formal announcements to show respect.

In Malay and Indonesian usage, almarhum is placed before the name of the deceased as a mark of respect, for example in phrases like almarhum Bapak X. The corresponding feminine form almarhumah is used in similar contexts for women, for instance almarhumah Ibu Y. The phrase can also stand in as a predicate, as in almarhum telah dimakamkan (the late has been buried).

The term is part of Islamic-influenced honorific conventions in Malay-speaking communities, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia, and in other Muslim communities that use Malay or Arabic-based honorifics. It functions similarly to the English “the late” when used before a name, conveying respect and recognition of the person’s passing. While widely used in media and formal discourse, the exact spelling and usage can vary slightly by country or region, but the gendered forms (almarhum for male, almarhumah for female) are widely understood.