posthumously

Posthumously is an adverb describing something that happens after a person has died. It is most often used to describe publications, awards, or recognitions conferred or released after a death. The related adjective is posthumous; the noun form posthumousness is rare.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin posthumus, historically used to describe a child born after the death of its father; by extension it came to refer to events occurring after death, especially in relation to works or honors.

Common uses include posthumous publication of manuscripts, posthumous releases of music or film, and posthumous awards or honors granted after the individual's death. The term also describes the broader phenomenon of posthumous fame or recognition when a person’s work—literary, artistic, or scientific—is reassessed and gains prominence after death.

In modern usage, posthumous is contrasted with postmortem, which is more common in medical or forensic contexts. Copyright and rights issues may influence whether a work can be published or released posthumously, and such actions can raise ethical questions about attribution, control, and the wishes of the deceased or their heirs.