The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Catafalque \Cat"a*falque`\, n. [F., fr. It. catafalco, scaffold,
   funeral canopy; of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. catafalso,
   cadahalso, cadalso, Pr. casafalc, OF. chafaut. Cf.
   Scaffold.]
   A temporary structure sometimes used in the funeral
   solemnities of eminent persons, for the public exhibition of
   the remains, or their conveyance to the place of burial.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

catafalque
    n 1: a decorated bier on which a coffin rests in state during a
         funeral

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

25 Moby Thesaurus words for "catafalque":
   balcony, dais, emplacement, estrade, floor, funeral car, gallery,
   hearse, heliport, hustings, landing, landing pad, landing stage,
   launching pad, platform, podium, pulpit, rostrum, soapbox, stage,
   step terrace, stump, terrace, tribunal, tribune