The deceased's coffin lay on a teak catafalque which had been moved into the church for the funeral.
by John Wettenhall August 21, 2007
The term officially refers to a structure used to support a coffin during a funeral, however the term can also be used to describe a situation or a person that is unpleasant.
“Did u see Marislava came by today?”
“Yeah, she needs a catafalque”
“This dinner is an absolute catafalque”
“Yeah, she needs a catafalque”
“This dinner is an absolute catafalque”
by deathenergy November 21, 2021