reposed or had been laid to rest

[Yemel]

Hi,
Could somebody help me with this terminology?
That day was the feast day of the saint who reposed one or two decades before.
Is it appropriate to say reposed instead of had been laid to rest?
Thank you.

[Jamie (K)]

If he was dead, he couldn't repose, because that means actively lying back and resting.

[Geo777]

Hi,

Repose (v.intr.)
1. To lie at rest.
2. To lie dead: repose in a grave.. So the meaning is lie when dead.
3. To lie while being supported by something.
_________________
Slow but sure.

[Beeesneees]

"The saint reposes in his grave" is okay, but 'reposed' wouldn't be accurate in your particular sentence, because it implies that he lay down then got back up!
To my eye/ear it is an odder choice than 'had been laid to rest', which would work better in this context.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Yemel]

Ok. Thank you very much guys I just thought that repose is a word used by church people to say that someone is dead.

[Beeesneees]

"He is in repose" He is dead.
but 'he died' is not usually expressed as 'he reposed'.
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Cheers m' dears!