Do you think black (or darker colors) is mandatory for a funeral?

No. I like what Ruth Gordon said in Harold and Maude, she didn't believe in wearing black to a funeral, because you never saw black flowers at a funeral, black flowers are dead flowers and what point in sending dead flowers to a funeral? So likewise why dress in dead colors?

Nhaiyel wrote:

Do you think black (or darker colors) is mandatory for a funeral?

Not at all. I wouldn't wear a red leather mini skirt & a tube top but it doesn't have to be so somber with only black & gray either.

Black is still the dominating color worn at funerals (I've been to many), but it is not necessary.

In fact, I wore a white outfit to my daughter's funeral (just couldn't make myself wear black), and my brother wore a brown suit to his wife's funeral (for the same reason). I think a lot of people still feel more comfortable wearing black to accompany their mourning, while it repels others. So it's a choice.

But I do agree that bright/vivid colors are still considered inappropriate.

I think anything is alright, so long as that person isn't drawing attention to his or herself. But IA that dark is preferred.

Probably not mandatory, but yea, I stick with dark colors as well.

I went to a funeral of a 10yr girl who had leukemia... and her favorite color was blue. The mother wore blue, the church was decorated in blue and anyone who knew her well wore blue... a powdery baby blue. It was actually really nice.

When my sister died, she was a biker chick who wore leather and jeans and boots.... My mother was mad, but I wore a guns n roses shirt and black boots. I think we should celebrate their lives, not their death.

My brother was mad at me cause I wanted to play rock music at my sis' funeral... he said that they are supposed to be traditional. When I retorted that my sis wasnt traditional, he responded, "yeah she'd a live @#$%ing band there if she could!" Well then guess what... if she would have a live band, it meant she would want the music,.... and I DID blast her rock at the viewing ---- the way SHE would have wanted it.


i truly believe that ALL funerals should be held according to the person's wishes, and clothing/colors should be worn accordingly.

wants2laugh wrote:

I went to a funeral of a 10yr girl who had leukemia... and her favorite color was blue. The mother wore blue, the church was decorated in blue and anyone who knew her well wore blue... a powdery baby blue. It was actually really nice.

When my sister died, she was a biker chick who wore leather and jeans and boots.... My mother was mad, but I wore a guns n roses shirt and black boots. I think we should celebrate their lives, not their death.

My brother was mad at me cause I wanted to play rock music at my sis' funeral... he said that they are supposed to be traditional. When I retorted that my sis wasnt traditional, he responded, "yeah she'd a live @#$%ing band there if she could!" Well then guess what... if she would have a live band, it meant she would want the music,.... and I DID blast her rock at the viewing ---- the way SHE would have wanted it.


i truly believe that ALL funerals should be held according to the person's wishes, and clothing/colors should be worn accordingly.

That was a wonderful thing to do.

If it's appropriate, wear something else. I agree that the life should be celebrated; I want folks to look like peacocks when I go up yonder. My dad asked for loud ass music to be playing the whole time (I guess so he can hear it lol).

Both of my grandmothers wore light pink suits at their own son's funerals (one went on to be buried in that suit, God bless her soul). As the remaining parents, I felt it was very appropriate.