What Color Should I Wear To A Funeral?

Color of Grief and Mourning

Ajay Sharma
Growing Grief

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Google doesn’t offer an accurate answer to the queries like ‘what color should I wear to a funeral?’ or ‘can I wear color to a funeral?’

And reaching consensus is really difficult, mainly due to the perception of death in different cultures and traditions.

Primarily dependent on the climatic conditions and religious contexts, colors may have a particular effect on the mind of mourners.

Eastern cultures suggest that when surrounded by grief or sadness, wear a color that soothes it, not that reinforces it.

Traditionally black has been the color for a funeral and subsequent mourning period in Europe and the US for years. Many people believe that the black signifies solemnity and seriousness of the situation, a message that we’re grieving and respecting those around us.

Ancient Romans don black woolen togas during the mourning period. But with the evolution in the planning of memorial services in today’s world, funeral attire is also evolving. People don’t find it obligatory to wear a specific color, especially in the mourning period after death.

Black is also the color of mourning in non-European cultures, including Portugal, Spain, Russia, Greece, Mexico etc. You will find families…

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Ajay Sharma
Growing Grief

Reader, Writer, Researcher | Media Professional | Interested in Existentialism, Death & Dying, History, Anthropology, Arts, Music & Digital Futures