The aim of this paper is to discuss the function and the discourse structure of lei (誄), a genre of dirge, in Han, Wei and Jin periods. The function of lei is to praise the deceased's dedication to the public and to further express the sorrow of the living. Through the analysis of multiple texts we find that lei has two basic structures. One of tem is ['the death of the wonderful person-the mourning and grief of the living,]' and the other is ['the wonderful person-reverse causality-the mourning and grief of the living.]' Both of these two discourse structures can enumerate what the deceased had done and where they had been in their lives and to express the condolence as well. They show a narrative pattern as Liu Xie (劉勰) had observed-the glory beginning and the sorrowful end. The first discourse structure appeared comparatively earlier than the second one, and its sorrow depicted is rather reserved. The second structure derived from Tsai-Yung (蔡邕) has a more subjective perspective, so it can easily express the feeling of sadness of the living who had received the favor and kindness from the deceased. Since Wei and Jin periods, writers tended to use the second discourse structure of lei. It explains why Lu Ji(陸機)considered lei sorrowful and touching.