What is what does requiem mean?

Requiem is a musical composition that is typically performed in honor of the dead. It is a Mass for the dead in the Roman Catholic Church, although the term has come to be used more broadly to refer to any piece of music written in memory of someone who has passed away. The word "requiem" itself means "rest" or "peace" in Latin, and the music is often characterized by a somber and mournful tone. Some of the most famous requiems include Mozart's Requiem, Verdi's Requiem, and Brahms' German Requiem.