Is it Horrible to Wear Red to a Funeral?
It depends on the culture.
Most people know that socially acceptable funeral clothes fall along the spectrum of dark colors, and yet somehow, there is always that one person who shows up in a bright red shirt, sweater, or other attire.
I usually just look and them and think, What the hell? Are they happy this person is dead? They could have worn anything but RED!”
In most cultures, this is considered taboo, but why exactly?
The main issue with wearing red to a funeral has more to do with cultural context and connotations than anything else. 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.
In some eastern cultures, red is also seen as a positive color, but it carries different connotations. Red represents luck, good fortune, and happiness. It’s not uncommon to see eastern brides wear red on their wedding day as it’s believed to bring them good luck in their marriage.
While wearing red to a funeral in an eastern culture wouldn’t be considered taboo, it would still be viewed as inappropriate…
