I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but ...bearerbear‧er /ˈbeərə $ ˈberər/ noun [countable] 
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but ...3 formal the bearer of a legal document, for example a passport, is the person that it officially belongs to4someone who knows about traditions and customs, and makes sure that younger people learn about them: They see themselves as the bearers of Jewish tradition.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Nothing daunted, the bearers of comfort brought a flagon of ale and a long clay pipe.
- So I went myself to see the undertaker, select the bearers, and arrange all the funeral details.
- The bearers of the arrows danced once more around the fire and departed.
- The numerous men employed as bearers become undertakers, although they have never done anything until they have got the job.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but ...COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but ...· All regiments may include a standard bearer and/or musician, and these cost double the points value of an ordinary trooper.· Their presidential standard bearer was criticizing the woman they love to hate.· Obviously, the regiment must include a standard bearer before it can be given a magic standard.· Mr. Hill was an important standard bearer.· Ronald Reagan was not without handicaps and dissatisfaction with both of the party's standard bearers in this election was unusually widespread.· Niblit replaces the normal battle standard bearer option in the army list.· The army general and standard bearer are very important to the Empire army.
NOUN· The stretcher bearers ran out to unload the cargo.
WORD FAMILYnounbeareradjectivebearable ≠ unbearableverbbearadverbbearably ≠ unbearably
1 formal someone who carries something such as a flag or a stretcher (=light bed for a sick person)2someone who brings you information, a letter etc: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but ...3 formal the bearer of a legal document, for example a passport, is the person that it officially belongs to4someone who knows about traditions and customs, and makes sure that younger people learn about them: They see themselves as the bearers of Jewish tradition.