Tag Archives: Funeral Attire



Our Weekly Tip: Express Your Grief Through Clothing

Modern mourning clothes serve as walking memorials for your loved ones

Our Tip of the Week: Western society used to have strict rules in place for funeral and memorial attire, with Victorian widows wearing elaborate crepe gowns for months, even years, after their husbands’ deaths. But over the past century, it’s rare … Continue reading

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A Show of Mourning Dresses From the Past

We mourn in our own ways by not even thinking about such attire

When I came across a past installation at The Metropolitan Museum, entitled “Death Becomes Her,” I was astounded by the elaborate dresses – gowns practically! – that mourning widows (from 1815 to 1915) would wear following the death of their beloveds. … Continue reading

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Why Do We Wear Black Funeral Attire Versus White?

A look at the religious and cultural meanings behind the colors of funeral attire

For many Americans, black seems to be the most common color to wear as funeral attire. Why is that? And why do some religious and cultural groups tend to wear white to funerals? Much of the color choice within religious … Continue reading

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