in middle age writers, denotes a catafalco, or a lofty tomb of state, erected in honour of some person of eminence, usually in the church where his body is interred; and decorated with arms, emblems, lights, and the like.

Ecclesiastical writers speak of a ceremony of consecrating a castrum doloris; the edifice was to be made to represent the body of the deceased, and the priest and deacon were to take their parts, and say the prayers after the same manner as if the corpse were actually present.