Funeral sets off state of sadness (11)

I believe the answer is:

tearfulness

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'state of sadness' is the definition.
'tearfulness' can be an answer for 'sadness' (tearfulness is a kind of sadness). I am not sure about the 'state of' bit.

'funeral sets off' is the wordplay.
'off' indicates an anagram.
'funeral'+'sets'='funeralsets'
'funeralsets' is an anagram of 'TEARFULNESS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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