anniversary or memorial?

[loveydovey]

If someone is observing memorial day of loved one today, and it's been 10 years since the person died, is it ok to say " I am observing 10th anniversary of my friend's death today". Or should I say " I am observing 10th memorial of my friend's death today". Which is right?

 

[riverkid]

If someone is observing memorial day of loved one today, and it's been 10 years since the person died, is it ok to say " I am observing the 10th anniversary of my friend's death today". Or should I say " I am observing the 10th memorial of my friend's death today". Which is right?

I've not heard 'memorial' used this way. An 'anniversary' doesn't have to entail a happy event so 'the 10th anniversary' would be fine.

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M-W:

anniversary

1: the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event; broadly : a date that follows such an event by a specified period of time measured in units other than years <the 6-month anniversary of the accident>2: the celebration of an anniversary

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