Do People Still Wear Black to Funerals?

Yes, black or dark neutrals. My usual outfits (sadly I go to a funeral usually once or twice a year) are either a simple shift that I have that has a cream-colored bodice and black skirt, topped with a black cardigan or black pants with a gray shell underneath a black cardigan. What a heartbreaking situation.

The idea of a "celebration of life" is lovely but only applies if it has been explicitly expressed.

Not necessarily all black, but dark, more muted tones are appropriate, I think. It sounds to me like any of the 3 outfits you're considering would be fine.

Yes and no. I wear one of my suits but I am an accountant so those are very appropriate for funerals. :( Still just from my experience with the ex's business it is no longer a hard and fast rule. I wouldn't go with hot pink or some other bright color but really even jeans and a sweater has become acceptable.

I can tell you if this is the child from last week they are going to be glad you came and not really care what you wore. Unless it is hot pink then you are just asking to be noticed. :p

Oh gads, if you son goes with you he can wear school clothes. Didn't know if you were bringing him but no one expects someone to buy new clothes for their child.

Yes, black and dark, muted colors to a funeral are appropriate.
Doesn't matter if it's pants or a dress.
Nothing sexy - think very dark Sunday best.
The only things that are usually colorful are the flowers.
It's a tragedy that a life so young was cut so short.
Respectful - yes, refreshing - no.
As far as her parents go, I'm sure they are a mess - I would be.
Just say "I'm sorry for your loss." and leave it at that.
Most things people say that are meant to console can come out the wrong way, so keep it simple.

Black, dark grey, navy blue are all appropriate. Unfortunately we have had our fair share of funerals in the family over the last several years, including our 2 yr old nephew. Candidly... "refreshing" isn't the emotion or the "need" for most people at that time.

From what you described the black pants with the green top would be fine. Nothing "bright" or attention-drawing.

Have the parents given any indication of what type of service this will be? For instance I went to a funeral for a child and the family asked that everyone come in bright cheerful colors. They too wanted to remember the happy times and send the child off that way. They were trying to focus on it being a Going Home Party to meet his maker. They asked that instead of flowers people bring a baloon to let go at the end and send donations to the foundation they set up for March of Dimes in his name.

I would wear something as dark as possible and maybe a pop of color in my choice of handbag. For my mom's funeral we all wore either yellow or green, her two favorite colors but the guests attending wore mostly black or navy blue. Her grandson's wore, yellow shirts with black pants.

Your attendance will mean much to the family. I will keep you and them in my prayers.

My cousin's daughter died at the age of 5--we all wore black with some minor color (like some flowers on a blouse, but a black blazer over it).

Yes, people still wear black or mostly black to funerals. As long as your clothes are subdued, you're okay. I like the black pants with the dark green top.

I would stick with traditional, dark colors, greys, blacks. It easier to do a mainstream direction when you don't know the direction the family is taking with this. It is a blessing to just show up and be supportive for the family. Sorry for your and their loss.

Yes, they wear black. And other colors as well. I think anything dark colored or muted would be fine. Just stay away from colorful designs, bright colors or festive patterns.

I have to disagree, when I lost my mother last month everyone wore black it was very depressing. You could wear black pants, light pink shirt or light something not like hot pink and black blazer or cardigan. I looked all around me and it just screamed death. I saw someone come in wearing white and it was a relief but it was someone that was known to do that at funerals and it was nice.
I myself was wearing a black dress that had red flowers that went up from the bottom. If you wear black wear something that does pop like a necklace with color. Having this child be so young my GUESS is that it will be a celebration of life. Also flowers die, so I will NOT ever buy those as when they die it just reminds me of the same thing, not sure if other feel the same way. I am not good with plants but they are nice and green.. just an idea. Let us know what you do.
Sorry to hear about the loss was the LAST thing I kept wanting to hear. Ok sorry but this all so recent so I can tell you what I think.

In weeks to come call the family and ask what they would like for dinner, people bring you food right afterwards but not when you are really thinking or mourning.

I hope something of what I said helped.

http://wordsthatcomfort.com/index.php/what-to-do

Black is still very appropriate. I will sometimes ask if the deceased had a favorite color so I can honor that person by wearing it.

Ive been to like 10 funerals, or more. Ive worn black to every one of them except my mothers. I was 8 though and i wore a dress she made me that was blue.

Yes, but more and more they are wearing other colors.
Especially to a young persons services.

It is now considered a "celebration of a life" rather than just a funeral.

I am so sorry for your loss. Heartbreaking,.

Very sad story. My heart goes out to the family and friends. I still wear black. Most people do I think. Your first choice sounds just fine to me. I would wear what makes you comfortable.

I don't think you have to wear black. Personally, I may wear black, but my rule of thumb is, I don't wear white or anything too loud as it's a sombre occasion. Hope that helps. J.

I always try to wear an outfit that is seasonally appropriate in whatever dark colors I have. Such as a Navy Blue office wear type dress for a large church funeral. I wore a navy pantsuit to my ex MIL's funeral, it was in the cemetery chapel. I wore a dark brown dress to my mom's funeral, it was a graveside and it was nearly 100 degrees outside.

So, it you want to fit in and not look out of place then I suggest you wear a darker color and try to fit the venue of the ceremony.

I have been to two seperate funerals this year (my husbands great aunt and a woman we go to church with). There are some who still wear black but it seems more and more people are going away with that and opting to just dress modestly but nice. I saw plenty of woman wearing bright skirts and heels as well as men in gray slacks with bright shirts and ties. I think more people are seeing that funerals don't have to be so dark to bring the mood down even further. I personally don't weark black, maybe some may be mixed in but It's not a full outfit of black.

When my youngest son died last summer people wore whatever they wanted to wear. Some dressed up, some came in jeans and t shirts, my oldest son wore Camo because he and his brother hunted a lot together. Most of us in the family wore Jordan's favorite colors which is black and red and his 3 year old daughter wore a summer looking pink dress.

Wear whatever color you like as long as it is respectiful. Dark, fall colors are all ok to wear, they don't have to be black.

Dark, subdued colors are proper. Don't worry if not EVERYTHING is black though.

I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your son's friend. So very sad for her parents. I'd be broken inside.

Unfortunately, I seem to have to attend several funerals every year. Most people wear nice dress clothes in many colors.

How very sad!

We wore black to our friend's recent funeral and so did many other people. If you don't go all black, wear dark colors. I wore a dress with purple on it, but it was overall muted and dark. I think the green top will be fine.

I've been to two funerals in the last couple years and the family usually wore black but everyone else wore darker colors. I saw a lot of black pants/skirts and then a purple, red, green, etc. top, or black and white tops. No one was in cheery colors, but I think a little color is nice.

I personally would wear black. Black slacks with a nice blouse or black skirt, dress according to weather. Also, unless it is expressed to wear a certain color, i would not wear something cheerful, or what you would think would be something cheerful, everyone deals with death differently and you dont want to be standing out in the crowd, it is bad enough you are attending a funeral to pay respect for a 6 year old and her family....
Good luck and so sorry for your loss.

ps. i personally would not take my 6 year old either, i think it is too young for them to understand (unless of course they were a sibling to this little girl) and or it could possibly make the parents that just lost their child uncomfortable.

The last funeral I went to, I wore dark grey pants and a dark purple shirt. If I were in the unfortunate position of having to go to a funeral for a six-year old girl, I would probably wear the grey pants and a subdued top. It won't really matter what you wear as long as it's appropriate to a somber occasion. It will mean a lot to the family that you were there and that will be the important thing.

What is the ethnicity of the family?
Chinese mourn in white.
Many funerals I have been at the families opted to celebrate life, rather than mourn in all black.
You can never go wrong with a black outfit, but seeing that it is a little girl, I think something pink with your gray or black slacks would be sweet.

I wear black to everything. I think as long as you look nice it doesn't matter.

I have seen people in jeans, tennis shoes and t-shirts. :(

Of the recent funerals I have gone to, the family wore black or other very dark colors, and others just wore church/work appropriate clothes, regardless of color. However, I did not see anyone wearing bright, cheery clothes.

I usually wear black slacks, a colored shirt, and a black cardigan or bolero over it. The last funeral I went to I wore a black cardigan, muted blue top and black slacks.
So sorry to hear about the situation.