The requiem sharks refer to all members of the Carcharhinidae family that includes some of the best-known and most common types of sharks, such as the tiger shark, blue shark, bull shark, and milk shark. The name comes from the French word for shark, requin.

Family members have the usual carcharhiniform characteristics. The eyes are round, and the pectoral fins are completely behind the five gill slits. Most species are viviparous, the young being born fully developed.

Many of the species in this family grow to considerable size, the record holder being a tiger shark measuring 7.4 meters.