For many years the decision on what to wear for a funeral has been quite straightforward; you just looked in your wardrobe for something black as that was considered to be the most appropriate type of clothing for such a solemn occasion. Even though in recent times there has been a change in direction with funerals in some cases now seen as a celebration of someone’s life where attendees are encouraged to wear bright colours, there are many others where black is still preferred.
In this blog post we are going to take a more in depth look at why people still wear black dresses at funerals, the history of the tradition , when it first started and when it is deemed that black formal clothes are still the most appropriate type of attire for a funeral.
The tradition of Wearing Black at Funerals Started With the Romans
The tradition of wearing black when mourning the loss of a loved one first arose during Roman times when people began replacing their iconic white togas with ones of darker colour which were known as toga pullas.
Many years later during the middle ages the wearing of black clothing during periods of mourning was considered to be a symbol of wealth by the people of Europe. This was because it was only the richest people who had enough money to be able to buy black clothing because of how expensive it was. In fact there was often competition between widows to see who could be the most extravagant.
A Queen Who Set Trends
Prior to black being worn by grieving widows and people attending funerals, white used to be the go-to colour in a lot of countries and cultures. However, this changed in the 19th century when many wealthy individuals started to wear black during periods of mourning.
This change can be attributed to Queen Victoria who after the death of her beloved husband Prince Albert in 1861. She was so devastated by this that she started wearing nothing but black something which she then carried on doing for the rest of her life. Such was her popularity that the upper echelons of British society who all wanted to be like their Queen copied her choice of clothes during periods of mourning which was seen as a status symbol.
The Victorian era saw an increase in black clothing throughout much of Western Europe. There were even rules that regulated the amount of time women should wear black dresses. These rules usually applied to widows only. Widows were generally allowed to wear black clothing for a longer period of time. Women who had been widowed were required to wear garments of mourning for a minimum of 12 months after the death of their husband. This included keeping their faces veiled every time they left the house. After a year they could wear duller shades of clothing such as purple or greys for the next year after which they could revert to normal dress if they wanted to.
While fashion, style and status undoubtedly played a significant part in wearing black for funerals it was also a very practical choice. Black dresses is considered to be a safe choice at a funeral as famous designer Karl Lagerfeld once said when talking about black dresses “ one is never overdressed or underdressed” something which can be applied to all different types of formal black clothing.
The trick is to tread a fine line between making it clear that you’ve taken the occasion seriously while not risking upstaging anyone by trying too hard. People often experience this kind of struggle when choosing what to wear to a wedding as well.
When choosing clothing for a funeral, there is less distraction before, during, and after the service. Apart from peer politics, imposing a ‘uniform’ can bring focus to the task at hand, namely remembering a loved one. There are some funerals that by their very nature exude a more formal air. These include occasions such as state and official funerals where the wearing of black will always be the norm.
Funeral Attire is Changing
Funerals in the UK are increasingly featuring more colourful attire, reflecting the nation’s growing multiculturalism. In Hinduism, for instance, white is traditionally worn at funerals.
According to Yajnamuc, an India-based online wellbeing platform, “White symbolizes the light of the sun and moon, representing the purity of the soul and our prayers for the departed’s Moksha (enlightenment). By reflecting all other colors and energies, wearing white wards off negative influences and embodies peace and respect. It’s a calming and comforting choice, signifying honor for the deceased and their loved ones.”
Beyond religious traditions, modern society places a greater emphasis on individualism than ever before. Funerals are increasingly becoming a reflection of personal expression, often shaped by the wishes of those who prefer to be celebrated rather than mourned. According to a recent Co-Op Funeralcare survey, more than one in five respondents (22%) expressed a desire for mourners to wear bright colours at their funeral.
As a society we now find the subjects of death, dying and bereavement easier to talk about and as such people now understand that people grieve in different ways, something that definitely extends to the funeral service which can only be a positive thing.
