“Wearing red is often seen as disrespectful because the colour is bold, stands out, can be distracting and takes on a look of festivity rather than sadness.
There are certain occasions when it's acceptable to wear red to funerals. It all essentially boils down to the expected rules. If you show up to a funeral with a standard dress code in a bright red dress it would be seen as breaking a major funeral etiquette rule.
First and foremost, dress appropriately. This means no jeans, shorts, or tank tops. Instead, opt for dark, conservative clothing. Women should avoid wearing anything too revealing or flashy, and men should make sure their clothing is clean and wrinkle-free.
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 colors are appropriate to wear to a funeral? While different cultures have their own mourning colors, you should typically wear black or neutral colors. Avoid wearing bright colors or prints which can be disrespectful and distracting. Black, white, grey, and navy are the best choices.
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.
Brown shades, lighter grays, and other earthy colors are acceptable for most funeral services. Be sure to avoid bright colors including yellow, red, pink, orange, and white.
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.
Red is a popular color in Chinese culture, symbolizing luck, joy, and happiness. It also represents celebration, vitality, and fertility in traditional Chinese color symbolism. Red is the traditional color worn by Chinese brides, as it is believed to ward off evil.
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.
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.
Can I wear sleeveless to a funeral? These days, a sleeveless dress and bare legs is appropriate at most American funerals, especially when it's a very hot climate. Consider a lightweight cardigan if there's a service inside the house of worship and a hat to protect yourself from the sun at the grave site.
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.
The most complimentary shade of red depends on your skin tone. Before wearing a red dress, figure out if you have a warm, cool, or neutral skin tone. Your veins can give a clue as to your skin tone. Blueish or purple veins indicate a cool skin tone.
Unless the family of the deceased has stated otherwise, you should avoid wearing bright coloured or bold clothing to a funeral; if in doubt, choose something smart and neutral. Do not wear any of the following to a funeral: Revealing or suggestive clothing. Trainers or flip flops.
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.
Because Muslims consider the color white to be associated with humility, this is a color that's often worn to their funerals. Although some people choose to wear dark colors, white is also acceptable.
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.
What color flowers for funeral. There's significance behind the color of funeral flower you choose to send to a funeral or memorial service: Red flowers signify strength, respect, devotion and love. Blue flowers represent sadness, sympathy and peace.
Dark red would be fine. Not a bright "garish" red.
Traditional Japanese attitudes towards death include a belief in the afterlife. Throughout the history of Japanese culture, people have traditionally believed that when a person dies, their soul lives on in the land of the dead. The land of the dead in Japanese culture is another realm not far from our own.
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.
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.
Grey, navy and brown are all formal, non-black colours. Muted floral patterns can also be a good choice for women, such as a floral dress or blouse.