Other mourners may wear subdued colours when paying respects, with the color red universally considered taboo within 9–40 days of a death. It is believed that those who wear red, which is reserved for happier occasions, will die or suffer illness.
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.
In Ghanian culture, red clothing is often worn by family members to funeral services to signify their sense of deep loss. More distant relatives and friends wear black to show their own grief and to express support for the immediate family.
From Wikipedia, “The color red is frowned upon in the time of mourning, it is believed that those who wear red within 9–40 days will die or suffer illness.” And for traditional families, “The immediate family wears black.
It can symbolize death because red is the color of blood. Blood red may also symbolize life's blood. Because red is the color of blood, it is most frequently used as the color of the heart. It is also sometimes connected with embarrassment because people sometimes flush bright red.
They might close their eyes frequently or they might be half-open. Facial muscles may relax and the jaw can drop. Skin can become very pale. Breathing can alternate between loud rasping breaths and quiet breathing.
In many parts of the world, black is traditionally the color of death, mourning and funeral fashion, but it is not the universal color of mourning everywhere.
Catholic Funeral Mass Etiquette and Dress Code
Black is traditional but any dark color is usually considered appropriate.
Wearing red at a funeral is traditionally frowned upon in Western cultures. However, there are times when it is appropriate. Often, a family will ask guests to wear a specific color to honor the deceased. So then you follow their direction.
If you wear makeup, you'll want to keep things minimal for a funeral. Stick to light, natural colors and a nude lipstick. Avoid anything featuring bright colors, glitter, or unnatural hues.
Attendees of South African funerals sometimes wear bright colors like red. And in Ghana, red and black are worn by the immediate family, while others wear white and black. Dressing smartly is the expected dress code.
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.
Can You Wear White to a Funeral? The truth of whether wearing white to a funeral is likely to offend anyone has to do with the circumstances. It's more likely to be offensive if: You're very close family, such as a parent, child, grandchild, or spouse, of the person who has died.
Usually people say a short prayer by the casket and then proceed to share their condolences with the family. Attending a visitation can be the hardest part for people to attend, because it involves talking to the deceased's family.
Sadness. This is perhaps the most common and universal emotion to experience at a funeral. The experience of loss naturally results in sadness, and the more you loved and cherished the one you lost, the more sadness you'll probably feel.
Instead, we want to reassure those who aren't crying that it's okay. Crying isn't a required step in grieving a loss; it is not a measure of how much you love the person who died, and you can still grieve healthily even if the tears don't flow.
Avoid Wearing Red Clothes and Bright Colors
Red drives away the spirits of the deceased–not what you'd want to do when you're paying respects! Save the bright colors for happier occasions.
Although traditional burial procedure which reflects respect for the body is still normal Catholic practice, cremation is allowed by the Catholic Church for justifiable reasons. Cremation would ordinarily take place after the Funeral Liturgy.
There is a belief that the soul continues to wander the Earth for another 40 days after the initial death. While wandering, the soul visits significant places from their life as well as their fresh grave. At the end of the 40 days, the soul finally departs from this world.
Red is a controversial colour at funerals. In South Africa, red has been chosen as a colour of mourning to represent the apartheid era and the bloodshed during these years. However, in China red is a colour that is strictly forbidden at funerals.
Black is a primary color across all models of color space. In Western culture, it is considered a negative color and usually symbolizes death, grief, or evil but also depression.
Color and depression: What's the link? When it comes to depression colors, gray and blue tend to be high on the list of those associated with low mood. In a 2010 study using the Manchester Color Wheel, experts found gray was the color people pointed to when asked to reflect feelings of depression.
Visual or auditory hallucinations are often part of the dying experience. The appearance of family members or loved ones who have died is common. These visions are considered normal. The dying may turn their focus to “another world” and talk to people or see things that others do not see.
After someone dies, it's normal to see or hear them. Some people also reporting sensing the smell or warmth of someone close to them, or just feel a very strong sense of their presence. Sometimes these feelings can be very powerful.