In South Africa and Ghana specifically, red is very commonly worn to funerals. In South Africa, red is considered the color of mourning as it represents the blood spilled during the Apartheid era.
Red – South Africa
In South Africa, red has been chosen as a colour of mourning to represent the apartheid era and the bloodshed during these years.
By wearing red to a funeral, they are honoring the deceased and helping to send them on their journey to the afterlife. In addition to red, other colors such as black, white, and green are also commonly worn to funerals in Ghana.
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
Guests at a Chinese funeral wear somber colors like black. Bright and colorful clothing, especially red, must be avoided as these colors are associated with happiness. White is acceptable and, if the deceased was 80 or above, white with pink or red is acceptable as the event is cause for celebration.
What to Wear at a Japanese Funeral (Ososhiki) Black is the color of mourning in Japan. While in the recent years dark blue and dark gray is becoming more acceptable, black is still preferred over all other colors.
Colors to Wear to a Hindu Funeral
Young unmarried girls are buried wearing yellow or orange, and married women will often be buried wearing red. While not all families follow these customs, wearing white to a Hindu funeral is a safe way to pay your respect to the family.
Catholic Funeral Mass Etiquette and Dress Code
Black is traditional but any dark color is usually considered appropriate.
Understand What Colors Not to Wear to a Funeral
Although the traditional color for funeral clothing in many countries is black, you don't have to limit yourself to this color. Many dark colors like navy, gray, Burgundy, or brown are acceptable too. You can also wear a white shirt or blouse.
What is appropriate clothing for a funeral? Traditionally, funeral etiquette suggests men and women wear black clothing that's conservative and respectful. Black or dark colours are most common, but some cultures expect mourners to wear a less traditional funeral colour.
While it is customary to wear dark clothes to the funeral, many Filipino families will choose to continue to wear black to demonstrate their grief. They may wear all black, tie a black ribbon around their arm, or wear a black pin to symbolize their mourning.
Avoid dressing in casual clothing, such as athletic wear, tank tops, or shorts. Skip the flip-flops, tennis shoes, sneakers, or boat shoes. Remove the neon necktie, purse, or accessory. Shy away from wearing jeans, even black ones, because they are considered too casual for a funeral.
Catholic Funeral Etiquette
Women should wear a black skirt or dress or pantsuit. If black clothing is not available, attendees should aim for wearing the darkest semi-formal clothes they have. It is no longer required that women wear hats, although some do. Men should absolutely not wear a hat in the church.
Mourners and attendants who follow Italian funeral traditions normally wear all black to funerals. Modern Italian immigrants' spouses do not wear black for extended periods of time, but in the past that was traditional.
Attendees of South African funerals sometimes wear bright colors like red. And in Ghana, red and black are worn by the immediate family, while others wear white and black. Dressing smartly is the expected dress code. In Brazil, purple is sometimes worn with black or worn instead of black.
Just as black is the traditional colour for death and grieving in many cultures, purple shares the same meaning in some European nations, including the U.K. and Italy, as well as Brazil, Thailand, India, and among many Catholics.
Dark or muted dresses are traditional and don't take attention away from the service. Shoulders should be covered in most cases. Skirts and dresses should reach the knee. Suits are also considered respectful and appropriate.
When choosing your attire for the funeral, you should avoid the color black. According to Hindu traditions, the customary color to wear at a Hindu funeral is white. Dress for men can be casual, but women's attire should cover the arms and knees.
If you can't wear black, some staple colors to wear at a funeral are dark and muted tones such as navy blue, charcoal, deep greys, maroons, deep purple, etc.
Why you shouldn't wear red to a funeral. Wearing red to a funeral can be a sign of disrespect. It will give others a completely wrong impression if you wear a bright and bold colour to a funeral, as this goes against the dark, muted colours associated with sadness and mourning.
Red is symbolic of passion and blood. It is worn during the feasts of the martyrs, Good Friday, Palm Sunday, and the Pentecost. The Cardinals wear red as a symbol for their devotion to the church and the Pope.
Usually men who are immediate family will wear dark suits, white shirts and black ties. Ladies may wear black dresses or dark coloured apparel. This also applies to Funeral Directors, but for everyone else, whilst clothes are toned down, it is not necessary to be dressed like the immediate family.
Mourners should wear white casual clothing to the viewing and service – black formal clothing is not appropriate. According to Hindu funeral tradition there is usually an open casket and guests are expected to view it. You should do so quietly and respectfully, and without touching the person who has passed away.
The body of the deceased is often kept at a family member's home until the funeral. At the cremation the oldest son generally lights the funeral pyre. At Buddhist funerals the mourners generally wear white.
In Indian culture colours are highly important. Red symbolises love, commitment, strength and bravery. These associations with the colour red come from Hindu religious beliefs. Red is often connected to Durga, a warrior goddess who symbolises strength and power.