Funeral mania, as the term is used here, refers to a typical manic episode occurring within 1 week of the loss by death of an immediate family member. The case history of a patient manifesting this rare reaction is presented and discussed. Comments are also made on the relevant psychiatric literature. Although funeral mania is probably a psychiatric curiosity it merits attention because it serves to remind us, even at a time when genetic factors in manic-depressive illness are in the forefront, that we should not overlook the role of emotional trauma.