Traditions are especially meaningful in connection with funerals and mourning: gentle music playing quietly in the background and family and friends gathered for a time of remembrance add to the flavor of the custom; even the color of clothing is a part of the tradition. Wearing of black clothing to show mourning and respect at a funeral has long been accepted as proper funeral etiquette , especially in western cultures. Funerals are sad and somber events. Wearing black indicates mourning someone's loss, and it is considered a sign of respect for the deceased and their family.
Most historians trace the tradition of wearing black at funerals to the time of the Roman Empire. Ancient Romans wore white togas under normal conditions. They would wear a dark toga, known as a toga pulla , to mourn the loss of a loved one. Over the years, the color of clothing was not as important as its style. A woman whose husband had died could not remarry as quickly as a man who had lost his wife in many cultures.
Because of the demands of society, the widow was to make herself look as unattractive as possible in order to declare that she was not available because of the period of mourning. The tradition of wearing black to a funeral became a foundational part of tradition because of Queen Victoria of England.
She ascended to the throne in when she was 18 years of age. She quickly became a fashion icon for the women of England and the rest of the world. When a very popular duke died, an elaborate government funeral was planned. Queen Victoria showed her respect and sorrow by wearing a black mourning gown , made especially for the occasion.
Wearing black to show mourning quickly became the accepted trend. Having the proper clothing to wear to a funeral involved more than the simple purchase of a black dress. Appropriate accessories included hats, shoes, fans, scarves, and wraps. Dressing in an unacceptable manner could be socially devastating in many communities, costing employment and status.
Following the Victorian era, women were expected to dress in mourning for up to four years. After the first year, the woman entered what was known as "half-mourning," where she could include dark colors of purple and gray into the wardrobe. Other cultures include several other colors as a part of the mourning traditions. If you wear jewelry, consider how noisy it is. A stack of bracelets or a noisy necklace will be distracting during the funeral.
Women should skip stilettos or flashy shoes. Avoid anything flashy or overly trendy. That includes anything with sequins, metallic finishes, or attention-drawing designs. Skip clothes that are short in length, low cut, or otherwise revealing. Those types of clothing might be considered disrespectful.
A general rule for length is to choose something that hits at the knee or below. Something slightly above the knee is acceptable in most situations, but anything much shorter is inappropriate. Figuring out what to wear to a funeral can be stressful at an already sad time. When you keep in mind being conservative and respectful, the clothing decisions become easier. Attending a funeral reminds everyone how short life is. Our preplanning services can take the work off of your loved ones and ensure your celebration of life fits your preferences.
What to Wear to a Funeral. All Black Everything? What to Wear to a Funeral Feb 24th, Choosing clothes you would wear for church or a job interview is usually a safe bet.
The requests usually involve a break from the traditional funeral attire. Funeral Attire Colors Black is the traditional color most people think of when it comes to funeral clothing, especially in Western cultures. This involves the cremation of the deceased without a funeral service. Need some free advice? Contact our team of advisors on Call a member of the Funeral Choice advice team on The Funeral Director fees quoted do not include third party costs often called disbursements.
The Funeral Director will guide you through your options. These costs are:. In addition to the disbursements you may want to discuss optional costs with your Funeral Director - these could include:.
A Direct Cremation is generally the most economic option because costs of the coffin, preparation of the body, funeral service and expensive transportation are not included.
However, many people choose Direct Cremations for reasons other than expense, for example:. We work hard to ensure the Funeral Director Fees we display are accurate and up to date. However, unlike with our partners, we cannot guarantee this price is correct today.
Once you have confirmed arrangements with that funeral director send us an email to info yourfuneralchoice. After we receive this email we will make the donation to the chosen charity and confirm back to you. Related Posts. Funeral advice and information during the coronavirus outbreak At an already difficult time, grieving families now face additional challenges in paying their final
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