Cheerful Funeral Clothing

[Disneylover99]

If I requested my favourite colour at my funeral, everyone would know to wear black. Lol.

 

[DopeyDame]

I love it!

I'm from a very Irish Catholic family, and we very much believe in the "Irish Wake" version of funerals - lots of kids running around, relatives catching up with each other, and a ton of fun memories of the deceased. If someone wants yellow, it seems like a lovely tribute to the person and a great way for the family to celebrate his life.

 

[elphaba91]

When my sister died we requested that everyone wear a touch of pink - her favourite colour - and no black.

I went to a ‘celebration of life’ a couple of weeks ago that was held in the hay shed of the deceased’s family’s farm; they often held parties, weddings, etc. there. It was a very casual dress code with people in boots and warm jackets.

 

[yoopermom]

I live in hunting country, and have been to MANY funerals where plaid flannel or camo were the request. (And, yes, in addition to the usual picture display, they often bring in the stuffed animal heads and rugs to make a tableau around the casket!)

Whatever will bring peace to those left behind is fine by me. They knew the deceased best.

Terri

 

[PollyannaMom]

I think it's a lovely idea!

I've often worn a basically dark outfit, but purposely include something of the deceased's favorite color - starting way back as a teenager, with green when my grandmother passed away - as long as it wasn't too showy.

 

[RedAngie]

About 10 years ago a co-worker's husband died and it was requested to wear something red to his funeral.

 

[Floridaman999]

We did a special color for my sister at her request. Everyone who attended her memorial did so.

 

[ZTator]

 

[mnrose]

I've been to such funerals. My dear friend's son died of cancer (age 12, 5 years ago), and we all wore his favorite colors (neon green or bright orange). It was the respectful thing to do because that his what HE requested. I'd do it again if asked by any family or decedent.

 

[Bella Paige]

My husband has been a funeral director for the past 20 years since shortly after he graduated from college and in his experience the majority of people attending wakes and services these days don’t wear strictly somber colors.

 

[donac]

When my dad died my family decided to wear sweaters to the wake and the funeral because my dad always wore sweaters. He was buried in his favorite sweater.

My uncle was buried in his steeler's jersey and was very fitting. But they decided to bury my father in law in a suit. We felt he should have been buried in his crappy shorts, t-shirt and suspenders like he always wore.

 

[DietCoke18]

My husbands aunt just passed. He went to the store to buy me a top. It has flowers and designs on it. My oldest said it’s “too happy” to wear to a funeral. I don’t knew how I feel about bright colors at a funeral.

 

[DVC-Don]

My funeral tie is blue with Mickey heads all over it.

 

[DisneylandFreak2013]

Wearing black to a funeral seems to be very regional. We wear it to funerals here, but back south we attended one and everyone was wearing casual wear (khakis, white sundresses, jeans/polo, etc). We were literally the only ones in all black! There was no request here, just the way they do things in their region.

I've heard of requests for special clothes and would do as requested.

 

[ronandannette]

Wearing black to a funeral seems to be very regional. We wear it to funerals here, but back south we attended one and everyone was wearing casual wear (khakis, white sundresses, jeans/polo, etc). We were literally the only ones in all black! There was no request here, just the way they do things in their region.

I've heard of requests for special clothes and would do as requested.

Agree with every part of this. I was raised in a remote, rural setting. There was no expectation of any specific attire at funerals beyond being neat and clean. Today I live in a major city and aside from close family and friends, most people pay their respects in whatever they wear to work, since the services are most often in the middle of the day. As for special requests by the family? It seems like a very small kindness to extend in order to comfort them - why would anybody not?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... It seems like a very small kindness to extend in order to comfort them - why would anybody not?

Someone on the counseling team at church was speaking on the topic of funeral services and said that the only time they would actively advise against something like this would be if it might be dangerous. Some of our staff get called to do services in the inner city and family/friends can think that having everyone wear gang colors can be a good way to show loyalty to the deceased. It can be walking on very thin ice to counsel a grieving family through this and suggest different, more neutral ideas while expressing compassionate support. Those team members have my great admiration!

 

[4Mickeys]

This has been happening here in Australia for a few years too and they are starting to be referred to as 'Celebrations of their Life'. When my aunt passed a few years ago we also wore something red - her favourite colour (she wore it too!) Unfortunately I have been to some Celebrations of Life for children in the last couple of years also - with requests for no black - the first one many wore her favourite colour - the other similar and prompt for something that would make her smile - either side of her little coffin were two giant bunches of colourful ballons. Colour does not mean you are not in mourning - whatever helps everyone get through it I say.

 

[SirDuff]

Not a clothing thing, but we had "loot bags" at my mum's funeral (actually, Memorial, since we had a private funeral) since she often said it wasn't a party unless there were loot bags (we had little boxes of truffles).

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

Sorry I don't know how to delete a post or I would have instead of editing, I posted about when my daughter passed away, it's still to fresh and I need to have a forum / place to forget those days . So sorry

@ZTator I’m so sorry for your loss.

I’ve seen these types of requests before, but I think it is nice to publicize the request. I went to a funeral once where everyone was wearing green, and I felt bad for wearing black. They had spread the idea to wear green through word of mouth and then I felt bad again that no one thought to tell me.

I also wanted to throw out my perspective on wearing bright colors to a funeral when it was NOT requested. When my mother died it was sudden and I was in my 20s. My grief was immense and tbh, I know this probably sounds crazy, but bright colors at the funeral would have been a struggle to deal with. I was so sad and I felt so alone with my grief. Seeing others acting light and cheerful made me feel that much more isolated. Misery loves company I guess? I think it’s wonderful when people can remember the deceased with a smile instead of tears but it’s not something everyone is capable of right away. In my opinion, dark colors show solidarity.

 

[Southernmiss]

Most here stick to net and clean and black.

I was at a child's funeral a few years ago and the family requested pink. The entry of the church was filled with pink balloons.

A friend requested florals for the funeral she planned for a dear friend.

My husband wants people to wear Hawaiian shirts when he dies. Does not want to force people to dress up. We live in a casual beach area, so people would be comfortable doing that.

As a soccer referee, he went to another referee's funeral and the referees in attendance wore their reff jerseys.