It's okay, encouraged even, to wear something other than dark colors. Light and bright colors like pink, green, red, or yellow are appropriate. The style is also more casual than formal. While you can still wear a suit or heels if you wish, middle-of-the-road to casual styles are preferred.
Appropriate dress for a celebration of life service typically includes: Slacks, khakis, and collared shirts for men. Dresses, skirts, blouses, and slacks for women. Casual shoes such as loafers, dress sneakers, or dress sandals.
Proper Celebration of Life Attire for Women
While this is not entirely a somber occasion, you still want to make sure your outfit is conservative enough not to be disrespectful. Most celebration of life ceremonies tends to avoid the color black. Instead, opt for lively colors, such as blues, pinks, greens, or yellows.
All things considered, black or other dark shade dress is considered appropriate for traditional funerals mainly. Your funeral wear shouldn't be aimed to draw attention toward you.
While you don't want to wear black to a celebration of life, there are a few other colors you should avoid as well. Colors like white, cream and beige can come across as too somber for a happy occasion. Instead, try to brighten up your outfit with some color. Red, orange, yellow, and green are all great colors to wear.
Funeral attire is typically more formal and consists of dress shoes, slacks or dress pants, and a black dress or dress of another color. Celebration of life are more celebratory, and you can definitely still wear black, but more colors, no suit and tie, and comfort are more recommended.
A celebration of life has more permissible color and style options than a traditional funeral. It's okay, encouraged even, to wear something other than dark colors. Light and bright colors like pink, green, red, or yellow are appropriate. The style is also more casual than formal.
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.
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.
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.
White roses
White is often the traditional color chosen for funeral flowers. White roses signify purity, innocence, honor and peace. If the person who has passed on was an elderly and well-respected person in your community, this may be an appropriate choice of flowers to take along to the ceremony.
Females should wear dark-colored dresses, skirts, suits, or pantsuits. Choose conservative silhouettes that aren't too tight or clingy and have moderate details. Avoid sleeveless, midriff-baring, or open-neckline shirts and blouses. If you choose a skirt or dress, opt for knee-length or longer.
Most common funeral etiquette practices for women to wear include a dark or black skirt suit or pantsuit; a skirt of appropriate length or pants and a top with sleeves, a blouse, or a sweater; flats or pumps. In some cultures, and religions women wear hats to funerals.
Clothing that covers the skin, like slacks, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and jackets. Skirts that hit at or below the knee. Closed-toed shoes. If you wear makeup, ensure it's subtle (and waterproof)
You Don't Have To Wear Black
However, colors like dark grey, dark blue, darker green, white, and beige can be appropriate. If you don't own any black clothing, you may always opt for a subtle hue that is appropriate for formal settings. In addition, stay away from anything with distracting patterns or prints.
When attending a funeral, wear attire that would be appropriate for a church service. Nice pants and a collared shirt, a suit and tie, a dress or other attire that is a step above casual is acceptable.
At the traditional funeral most Australians are familiar with, it is respectful to wear smart, well-pressed clothes in a dark colour. Black has long been typically worn by mourners at a traditional funeral, but dark shades such as navy or grey are also appropriate. A smart work suit or outfit is usually acceptable.
Bottom line: jeans are not appropriate for a funeral. Unless the family requests them, you should avoid wearing denim to a funeral. However, if it's a casual, outdoor service, you can consider a dark (almost black denim) paired with a button-down shirt and blazer.
Women should avoid wearing overly casual or festive clothing. Appropriate outfits for women to wear to a funeral include a skirt suit or pantsuit; a skirt of appropriate length (not a mini skirt) or pants (not jeans) and a top with sleeves, a blouse, or a sweater; flats or pumps (not sneakers).
Because a funeral is often a somber occasion, it's best to choose clothes that reflect that. Your clothing does not have to be all black. It's common for funeral attendees to wear navy blue, dark grey, violet, and many other colors.
For women, adding color can be done through patterns and floral designs. Much like with men's funeral attire, color should be used to subtly accent your outfit. Try to make sure that your outfit does not have overly bright colors or wild patterns that draw attention.
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.
Some of the most meaningful moments of a life celebration revolve around readings, orations, and music that truly represent the deceased. Readings may include favorite Bible verses or beloved poems. Talented speakers or close friends can share stories.
Black – Western World
Wearing dark colours for mourning has long been a tradition in many parts of the western world, in particular large parts of Europe and North America. The association of the colour black with death and loss is centuries old and is believed to have originated during Roman times.
Roses: representing grace, love, and appreciation, pink roses are an excellent choice to honor your loved one. Carnations: one of the most popular funeral flowers because they symbolize grief and sympathy, no matter what color they are.