The family of someone who dies wear white in the mourning process in the hope that their loved ones are reborn again. The idea of white mourning, otherwise known as deuil blanc in French, was formed during the 16th century when white was worn by bereaved children and unmarried women.
White is a color of mourning across the globe
Clean, white shirts are usually worn with suits, and funeral flowers are usually white too. In Medieval times, white was worn together with black when honoring lost lives. Buddhists wear white to funerals as a symbol of mourning, and respect to the deceased person.
While black is still the most popular choice of clothing for attending a funeral in most settings, wearing white can be done without fear of offending. Sometimes, the deceased's family asks their guests to wear a particular color to honor their loved ones.
It's tradition to wear a white shirt at a funeral, but a plain, unpatterned buttoned shirt in a muted colour is okay. Shoes should be dark, clean and polished. Dresses, skirts and trouser suits can be all be worn to a funeral – the focus is on conservatism.
While dark clothes are traditional in many religions, white is worn to Hindu and Buddhist funerals.
White is meant to signify purity and rebirth and is a popular colour of mourning for many East Asia countries. It also has strong connections to Europe as well. Starting in France in the 16th century, white was worn by bereaved children and unmarried women.
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
Color Associations Are Not Universal
In many Eastern cultures, however, white is symbolically linked to death and sadness. It's often a color used in funerals and other mourning rituals.
Black is the color of mourning in many European cultures. Black clothing is typically worn at funerals to show mourning for the death of the person. In East Asia, white is similarly associated with mourning; it represented the purity and perfection of the deceased person's spirit.
Black. Donning dark colors for mourning has been strongly associated with death and loss for centuries in the west and is a practice believed to date back to the Roman times. In the early 1900s, black jewelry made from polished stone, jet, was particularly popular in the form of mourning brooches and mourning rings.
Red: courage, love, respect. Red, Dark: grief, love, sorrow. White: humility, innocence, purity, reverence, spirituality, youthfulness (often used at the funerals of children) Yellow: devotion, friendship, loyalty.
Grey is the quintessential sad color, but dark and muted cool colors like blue, green or neutrals like brown or beige can have a similar effect on feelings and emotions depending on how they're used. In Western cultures black is often considered the color of mourning, whereas in some East Asian countries it's white.
It embraces innocence, peace, virginity, solemn, hope, purity, kindness, consideration, patience, simplicity spirituality, soothing, simplicity and Idealism. Imagine having everything white, right from university white sheets to dinner plates to bath towels, everything white look so serene.
In western cultures, red is often seen as a color of joy, love, and vitality. It's the color of celebrations and positive energy. Wearing red to a funeral would be considered inappropriate because it would clash with the somber atmosphere and be viewed as disrespectful.
The color white often evokes ideas of purity, simplicity, and cleanliness.
Avoid dressing in casual clothing, such as athletic wear, tank tops, or shorts. Skip the flip-flops, tennis shoes, sneakers, or boat shoes. Remove the neon necktie, purse, or accessory. Shy away from wearing jeans, even black ones, because they are considered too casual for a funeral.
White is the color of mourning in Ethiopia. It is also the mourning color in Buddhism as practiced in India, Cambodia, and areas of Japan. However, white has different meanings as a mourning color in China and India. Both countries and their cultures use white for a color of mourning.
Traditionally, white clothing is symbolic of the dead, while red is not usually worn, as it is traditionally the symbolic colour of happiness worn at Chinese weddings.
You Don't Have To Wear Black
However, colors like dark grey, dark blue, darker green, white, and beige can be appropriate. If you don't own any black clothing, you may always opt for a subtle hue that is appropriate for formal settings. In addition, stay away from anything with distracting patterns or prints.
Black is the rule of thumb
Unless stated otherwise, black is an excellent place to start your funeral outfit quest. A classic cut dress or tailored pants for women and a suit for men is a good idea. Don't worry about trying to make your accessories match. No one will notice if you're wearing red shoes or a red bag.
Funeral attire should be dark somber clothing. A shirt and tie for men and dress or slacks and a blouse for women. Black, navy, gray, neutral tones are all appropriate colors.
The family of someone who dies wears white mourning, in the hope that their loved ones are reborn again. The idea of white mourning, otherwise known as deuil blanc in French, was formed during the 16th century when white was worn by bereaved children and unmarried women.
Traditionally, as black is the color for mourning, attendees are expected to wear black.