What to Wear to a Traditional Western Funeral

 

Even if you normally don’t care about fashion, there are reasons why you might care about what you wear. It’s the last time that you’ll be able to pay your respects to your loved one in a public way. Fortunately, style guides are easy to follow. In the West, typical funeral attire is very modest. It’s also usually a dark shade.  

 

There are general customs that both men and women follow. While it’s not a solid rule, people often stay toward black clothes. Black attire has long been associated with mourning. There was even a time when people would wear all black for months or even years after their loved one died. It was a universal symbol of mourning. It was particularly common among widows.  

 

Now, no one is expected to wear mourning clothes for years. However, it’s still very common to wear all black to the funeral. It shows that your thoughts are serious-minded.  

 

The style of clothing that you wear is, perhaps, more important than the color. You should err toward the side of caution and wear something very bland. Your clothing can be well-made and high-quality, but it shouldn’t be flashy. You don’t want to draw attention to yourself.  

 

A simple, modest outfit is the most likely to please you. Another option is to incorporate something that connects you to the deceased. It could be a piece of jewelry that reminds you of them, or something that they once gave you. You can buy shoes in their favorite shade. You can tuck their favorite shirt into your purse or handbag.  

 

If you want, you can buy a new outfit for the funeral. After the service is over, you can put it away and never wear it again. You might form a strange attachment to the clothing. Wearing it any other context might be emotionally difficult.  

 

You should also remember that people may be taking a lot of pictures during the memorial and reception service. Most people have cameras on their phone and are used to posting about their day to social media. The funeral will be no exception.  

 

You may even grow to appreciate all of the pictures. They recall your mind to a very important day. All of your memories of the event may be cherished one day. Your loved one’s death is part of their story.       

Please visit Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory when you need funeral homes Hellertown, PA. Our compassionate, professional team can be reached at (610) 838-9191. If you would prefer to speak to someone in person, you can find us at 1418 Main St, Hellertown, PA, 18055. We understand that you’re in need of a reputable funeral home.