Choosing attire for the final journey of a loved one is a deeply personal and meaningful task. The outfit can reflect the departed person’s personality, lifestyle and preferences. For some families, it’s also a chance to honor their religious or cultural traditions. Incorporating clothing that is traditional for a particular faith can be especially touching and respectful.
While most burial clothes are on the formal side, they can be adjusted to fit a person’s lifestyle and to align with their preferences. The general rules of thumb is to choose clothes that the departed would wear in everyday life. For example, women who seldom wore suits or dresses may prefer to be dressed in a nightgown for the funeral service. Young people can also be dressed in casual attire like jeans and a shirt.
For men, classic suits are a good choice. The dark colors evoke an aura of solemnity and respect. A suit can be worn with a tailored dress shirt and conservative tie. Polished dress shoes are the finishing touch for this ensemble. For a more subtle look, consider an all-white outfit. A crisp white dress shirt or blouse paired with knee-length skirt or dress pants can convey serenity and peace.
When it comes to women’s funeral attire, a simple black dress exudes elegance and solemnity. The dress can be worn with a head veil or hat. A tiara or crown can be worn for women who want to appear more elegant and royalty. For Muslims, the body is covered in a plain sheet and for Jewish people, it’s clothed in shrouds called tachrichim or a tallit.
Incorporating the departed person’s favorite clothes can be a special way to connect with their memories and legacy. Some people are buried in their wedding dress or other sentimental clothing that reflects their relationship to the deceased. The funeral director can help you arrange for a suitable wardrobe for the visitation and service.
If a viewing or open casket funeral is planned, it’s important to keep in mind that any jewelry and other valuables will need to be removed before the person is placed into the coffin. They will need to be put aside for safekeeping by the family or will be donated to charity.
Infant deaths are devastating, but a Utah seamstress is helping to ease the grief with her handmade angel gowns. For every thousand live births in the United States, five infants die. Out of that number, about half are stillbirths or miscarriages. For many grieving parents, losing a baby can feel like losing a part of themselves. KUER’s Ciara Hulet reports.