is it still expected/common to wear black to a funeral?

Question

Are you still supposed to wear all black to a funeral? Would you be offended If someone turned up to your loved ones funeral wearing other colors Do you still wear all black?

Answer 1

If not black, then certainly something darker-colored. "Rules" regarding this have relaxed a bit in recent years, but it would usually be considered poor taste to show up to such a somber event in a brightly-colored garment, for obvious reasons.

Answer 2

I think it may depend on the region or the culture, or maybe even on the formality of the family of the deceased. I have seen a wide variety of attire from jeans to formal black.
I usually wear a dark color--I may go with gray or navy instead of black or wear a subdued print with a black background instead of solid black. I have even worn muted pastel shades for a spring/summer funeral and didn't feel out of place as I wasn't the only one.

It's about being modest and respectful of the family. If someone wore other colors to a service for my loved one I would probably consider the source--maybe that's all they had in which case I would be glad they came. If I thought maybe they just didn't know better I would probably try to overlook that too. The only way I would be offended is if it were somehow obvious that it was done on purpose as a sign of disrespect.

Answer 3

As long as you are there to pay your respects, I don't think it matters what colors you wear. It doesn't seem expected to wear all black anymore. Generally men will wear a suit and tie to a funeral, and women nice dress pants or skirt, but you do not have to be head to toe black. Of The last two funerals I went to, one of them I wore all black and I was the only person dressed that way. The next one I just wore nice clothes in darker colors.

Answer 4

It is common to still wear black...... and no I would not be offended if someone wore something other than black to a loved ones funeral. Just the fact that they are at the funeral is what matters to me.

Answer 5

Well, maybe you don't have to wear strictly black, but keep the colors dark and respectful: hunter green, midnight blue, dark purple. I wouldn't show up in lime green or hot pink or anything.

The only exception is if the family asks you otherwise. Some 19-year-old boys that went to high school with my brother were killed this summer, and at the funeral and visitation for one of them, the family requested everyone wear bright colors because the boy wouldn't have wanted everyone to be dark and depressing.

Answer 6

No, all black is a little passé. Naturally, you don't want to show up in your whitest white outfit or florals, but there's nothing at all wrong with wearing darker colors of the spectrum. I wore an olive green skirt and jacket to my grandfather's funeral, last year. I've also worn purple and other colors. Nobody looks at me like I'm being outlandish or disrespectful.

Answer 7

I still wear either black or another dark color, but I hope that, when I die, everyone wears white or colors of celebration. While I can understand and certainly respect other people's wishes to show mourning that a loved one has passed, I'm of the opinion that, instead of being sad that someone is gone, we should celebrate ever having known them at all.

Answer 8

Black is popular.

Understatement better than overstatement.

In some parts of society, even in America, some funerals can be colorful including a parade of purple cars/hearsts.

White hearsts can be used for children's funerals.

It varies.

Flowers are often associated with funerals.

Answer 9

Most expect black or at least the darker colors. Unless the person requested no black then I wear dark colors

Answer 10

A custom in one place may not be the same in another place.
Black for funeral in western countries is acceptable. But white is the colour they wear in north India. So it tis basically the practise of people.

But remember, what ever the others do, please try to follow the same. Otherwise you will become the odd man out.

Answer 11

You know what else is great ? Black confetti. It kinda puts the "fun" into "funerals"........and just once i'd like to see someone wear a yellow hoodie with those obnoxious orange camo cargo shorts. Maybe an airhorn or stinkbomb once in a while would be nice too...