What to Wear for a Homegoing Service
A homegoing is a time of many emotions, from grief and sadness to love, tenderness, nostalgia, and even joy. It's a time to celebrate the life of a loved one, and the service is a testament to love and regard for the deceased.
Because a funeral is a reflection of the life it honors, every detail matters - including how mourners are dressed. Formal black clothing is the most traditional choice for funeral attire, and it's a classic for a reason. It signifies mourning and shows respect for the deceased, which in turn demonstrates to the family that their community supports them in their time of need. However, mourning and respect can be expressed in many other ways, and modern funeral fashions reflect this
What to Wear to a Funeral
Every service is personalized to the life it’s honoring, so no two funerals or memorial services will be the same. Every life and every family is unique, and our goal is to reflect this uniqueness in the service. Here are a few ways people use their clothing to honor the life of a loved one:
- Matching color scheme. Sometimes the family of the deceased will request that guests wear a certain color. The family may also wear one color, while non-related guests don a separate shade. These color themes can create solidarity in a difficult time when people are grieving.
- RIP T-shirts. Custom-made RIP T-shirts have become common at funerals for young people, but they aren’t limited to these occasions. These memorial T-shirts usually show a picture or drawing of the deceased. Other elements in the shirt design might include a favorite nickname for the person, as well as Bible verses and other religious symbolism. A RIP T-shirt can be worn to the service or changed into for the reception after the funeral.
- Sunday best. The clothes usually worn during Sunday church services are usually a safe bet for the service, depending on the wishes of the family. Dress pants and shoes, a conservatively cut dress, and other formal attire are appropriate. Just as wearing your best clothes to church is a sign of respect, dressing in your finest suit or dress – regardless of the color – can show that you care.
If you received a formal invitation to the funeral, the invitation may include directions on the appropriate attire. But if you’re unsure of the dress code, it’s usually okay to contact the family to ask. If you do not know the family well enough to feel comfortable asking them questions about the service, you can ask someone who is close to them for guidance, or simply err on the side of formality. It’s never wrong to dress conservatively for a funeral.
If you’re planning the funeral for your loved one, you can choose whatever dress code you feel best honors and reflects their life. It’s helpful to provide clear directions ahead of time to the people attending, so everyone knows what they should wear for your loved one’s service. Of course, many families today choose no dress code at all and simply want the people who loved the deceased to be there in any way they can.
How We Honor a Life at Pipkin Braswell
Pipkin Braswell believes every life deserves to be celebrated through a joyous and thoughtful service attended by family and friends, and we cater every detail of our funeral services to honor the deceased. Rather than a one-size-fits-all ceremony, the family can expect a fully personalized service that matches the love and vibrancy of the life that was lost.
Throughout the ceremony, our staff wears matching tuxedos and gloves as a symbol of respect. The family of the deceased deserves no less than the best, and we work to ensure that this is what the family receives from the moment they walk into our business.
We will work with the family until they are satisfied that everything is perfect for the person they’ve lost. From the color of the tuxes to the decorations, to the limo service, we’ll work with you to coordinate the details of your loved one’s ceremony, so you can focus on being there for each other. Please call
303-996-0869 to begin making arrangements.
