Is it bad to wear white to a funeral?

Question

What about black & white? Also are there any other "do nots" when attending a funeral?

Answer 1

Wearing black isn't a world-wide thing. Lots of cultures wear white. HOWEVER that's probably not what people will be thinking if you show up wearing white. If black is the dominant color you're okay. You can also wear dark colors like brown or navy instead of black.

Answer 2

Black and white is fine if that is all you have. All white is a bit much if you are not an usher at the church. Wear a dark suit either brown or blue and that will look just fine.
Be sure to give your sympathies to the family.
Do not talk or chew gum during the ceremony.
The front rows of the church are reserved for close friends and family.
If you cannot attend the funeral, at least send a card or a flower arrangement.

Answer 3

"The most traditional and respectful color is solid black (with a matching solid black tie for men) preferably without any underlying pinstripes or patterns in the weave. But failing that charcoal gray or dark navy blue may be worn. Wearing short skirts, low-cut tops, or, at Western funerals, a large amount of white (other than a button-down shirt or blouse, or a military uniform) is often seen as disrespectful. Women who are grieving the death of their husband or a close partner sometimes wear a veil to conceal the face, although the veil is not common now."

Answer 4

Some cultures have white as the funeral color, like Korea, India, and Japan, but I am guessing you are talking about a western culture.

A dark suit with a quiet tie is your best bet. A dress shirt in gray or blue with suit slacks if it is really sweltering hot -- but also a tie. Just dress to show respect. Hats off inside, no sneakers, jeans, tee shirts, etc.

When meeting the family in a receiving line, hug them or shake their hand and just say, "I'm sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man." Or something short.

Send flowers to the funeral home ahead of time rather than bringing them with you, and be sure to send a card to the family. Again,. it only needs a short sentiment so don't worry about trying to come up with a lot of stuff to say.

Answer 5

I would imagine that as long as it isn't anything too flashy and nothing disrespectful, you should be fine. I remember going to a funeral and the widow of the man who died wore white pants and a pink sweater---and she was in her late 70s early 80s.

At my hubby's Great Grandfathers funeral my sister in law tried to get away with a shirt that would make a stripper blush and I took her to Wal-Mart and got her a new shirt, and she couldn't understand why she couldn't wear it, I told her if she was going clubbing it may have been okay, but due to the culture of the area we were in that would no be okay----per my Mother In Law.

The biggest suggestion that I can make is please make sure you turn off your cell phone, because at the great-grandfathers funeral my sister in law's boyfriends cell phone went off 2 times. You would think after the 1st time he would have turned it off.

I would think the white would be fine-----white is a cheerful color and essentially funeral's are a celebration of life.

Good Luck and sorry about your loss.

Answer 6

It used to be that everyone wore black to funerals, at least in North America anyhow. These days people are wearing colors, or possibly that is just in my town?. People are starting to see it as celebrating the life of the person instead. I wouldn't wear white, but I don't think wearing a dark colored shirt with black dress pants would be a problem.

Answer 7

My cousin wore a white skirt to the showing of our grandfather...i didn't think there was anything wrong with that. I've seen people wear all sorts of colors to funerals and to funeral homes. Now don't come in wearing like really bright colors like really bright yellow and orange....and neon colors.

Answer 8

You can wear any color you want to a funeral. Who's going to say anything?. Can you imagine anyone saying "oooh, look at her, she's wearing a yellow blouse". I don't think so. I wore a light colored dress to my father's funeral. I can't imagine any respectable person who is at a funeral to judge others by what they're wearing. I would simply be happy that you showed up to pay your respects. If the outfit you have on is conservative, and not revealing then you're fine. Revealing your cleavage or short skirt with stilettos, now that's distasteful. But colors? c'mon. Were not living in the stone ages anymore.

BTW. Honeybee, my mother's favorite color was yellow. Celebrating the deceased' favorite color is such a wonderful way to remember them. Thank you for making such a great point!

Answer 9

It depends on a lot of things. First of all what continent are you on (White is the colour of mourning in Asia - Black for Europe and North America) Second, it depends on how formal it is. Black is considered 'respectful' to the dead in Western culture but for some, like me for example, it doesn't really make any difference. Wear whatever you like.

To me respect has very little to do with the clothing you wear. As long as it is neat and clean and presentable, what does it really matter? Though you gotta know your audience.

Answer 10

I think now-a-days people are wearing anything that in presentable. I've been to several funerals as of late and the main thing to keep in mind you are there to pay your respects to the bereaved. When my own parents died, I was so happy to see all those that turned out for the funeral. It didn't matter what they wore, thier presence there was what counted.