Color of Grief and Mourning
Google doesn’t offer an accurate answer to the queries like ‘what color should I wear to a funeral?’ or ‘can I wear color to a funeral?’
And reaching consensus is really difficult, mainly due to the perception of death in different cultures and traditions.
Primarily dependent on the climatic conditions and religious contexts, colors may have a particular effect on the mind of mourners.
Eastern cultures suggest that when surrounded by grief or sadness, wear a color that soothes it, not that reinforces it.
Traditionally black has been the color for a funeral and subsequent mourning period in Europe and the US for years. Many people believe that the black signifies solemnity and seriousness of the situation, a message that we’re grieving and respecting those around us.
Ancient Romans don black woolen togas during the mourning period. But with the evolution in the planning of memorial services in today’s world, funeral attire is also evolving. People don’t find it obligatory to wear a specific color, especially in the mourning period after death.
Black is also the color of mourning in non-European cultures, including Portugal, Spain, Russia, Greece, Mexico etc. You will find families in Japan wearing black for mourning, whether it is western clothing or traditional kimonos.
Wearing black in Europe started with Queen Victoria when she mourned the death of her husband. Then it became a trend, and Victorian widows wore a mourning bonnet & black crepe veil over their faces. But for herself, the Queen chose a white funeral. Her white wedding veil was over her face.
White is the choice of color in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries because it represents purity and rebirth. It is the color of mourning and funeral in China and India. Cambodian Buddhists also wear white in the hope that their loved ones are reborn again.
Now purple, which is also blended with death. Catholics prefer purple during Good Friday in Guatemala as a symbol of the suffering of Christ. It can be considered unlucky to wear purple in Brazil if not attending a funeral. In Thailand, purple is reserved for widows.
Several other colors are also associated with funerals and mourning. If South Africa adopted red, Burmese would wear yellow, and gray is the preferred color of grief in Papua New Guinea. Though, white was symbolized with the afterlife in ancient Egypt. Especially women colored their skin chalk white. Gold was actually more associated with Ra or the afterlife, not grief. White on the body and clothing is still used for death and mourning in Africa.