5 Bright Ways To Add A Splash Of Colour To A Funeral | SunLife (2024)

Last updated 18th March 2022

3 min read

When it comes to planning a funeral, why not forget black and opt for a splash of colour instead?

If your loved one had a vibrant personality, or if you're planning your own funeral as a celebration of life, a bright palette can make the day that bit more personal and positive.

If you're uncertain how to strike the right tone, or if the idea of adding colour to funeral arrangements sounds a bit tricky, here are our 5 top suggestions to help brighten up proceedings and strike the right note for the occasion.

1. What to wear at a funeral

Many people don't know what to wear to a funeral.

You can ask guests coming to the funeral to wear colours of their choice or stick to just one colour, such as your loved one's favourite. Go as colourful as you feel is appropriate.

Feel free to go to town or be more subtle. A lovely pop of colour can be achieved by guests adding one bright piece like a scarf, tie, hair accessory or piece of jewellery to their outfits.

But it's worth politely reminding attendees that wearing a colour funeral outfit is optional. Some older mourners may feel more comfortable dressed in traditional funeral colours.

2. Colourful funeral flowers

Traditionally, the types of funeral flowers we choose have been white and simple, but there's nothing to stop you from going brighter.

Add a hint of celebration with splashes of pink, red and yellow. Go one step further with bright floral tributes shaped to reflect a passion or hobby, like football.

Or keep the funeral simple, by giving each guest a single flower to wear at the funeral or lay on the coffin.

3. Funeral cars

Who said the funeral car has to be black or silver? There's no reason why you can't break from tradition and go for a brighter form of transport.

Hearses come in all sorts of colours these days. For reasons best known to his family, Roger Lloyd Pack, otherwise known as 'Trigger' from 'Only Fools and Horses' arrived at his funeral in a candy pink funeral car.

4. Coffins

The various types of coffins and prices on offer can be overwhelming at first.

As well as traditional wood, you can now choose coffins in all the colours of the rainbow. You can even arrange for family members or a specialist to paint a coffin with your own bespoke design as part of your funeral plans.

5. Balloon release

A balloon release is a touching way to bring friends and family together and add colour to funeral arrangements.

Give guests a bright balloon each and ask them to think of a happy memory or make a wish as you all release them together and watch as they float away. (Make sure you use latex balloons, which are 100% biodegradable.)

This could be done straight after the funeral, as a tribute at the end of the wake or at a special location at another time.

Adding colour to a funeral might go against tradition, but it's a wonderful way to reflect the personality of the person and bring a sense of hope and positivity to a sad occasion. Just adding some small splashes here and there can be enough to add a personal touch to the funeral without breaking too many conventions.

When it comes to your own funeral plans, don't forget – if no one knows what you have in mind, they won't be able to make the funeral arrangements in the way you wanted.

But it can be hard to talk about these things, which is why we created our My Perfect Send-Off planner to help you record your funeral arrangements and wishes, ready for when the time comes. It guides you through the options you may want to consider, then saves your choices for you to download and keep safe.

Or if you're thinking about how to get help with funeral costs, our latest Cost of Dying report has lots of helpful information and handy tips.

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5 Bright Ways To Add A Splash Of Colour To A Funeral | SunLife (2024)

FAQs

How do you add a splash of color to a funeral? ›

Feel free to go to town or be more subtle. A lovely pop of colour can be achieved by guests adding one bright piece like a scarf, tie, hair accessory or piece of jewellery to their outfits. But it's worth politely reminding attendees that wearing a colour funeral outfit is optional.

What are the bright colors to wear to a funeral? ›

Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.

What does a splash of color mean at a funeral? ›

Occasionally families may ask you to wear a splash of colour or perhaps something that is a nod towards the person who has passed (for example, someone had a particular colour they loved or a particularly vibrant personality).

How do you ask someone to wear bright colors to a funeral? ›

If you're seeing someone close to the deceased before the funeral, you could always politely ask if there are colours they would prefer. However, don't get in touch with them specifically for this reason. If in doubt, follow our earlier advice for people who can't find a black outfit.

How do you add a splash of color to an outfit? ›

You can start small with a minimalist jewelry in a bold color or go all in with bold and colorful statement earrings. Explore other colorful accessories such as a bright bag, animal print ballet flats, or a printed scarf. These will brighten your outfit and your day.

What color should you be buried in? ›

If a person used to be friendly or exhibited confidence, burying them in a blue casket is a perfect choice. Blue also makes an obvious choice for funerals as it's associated with sadness or 'feeling blue.” Above all, this color also represents peace and tranquility.

What does wearing pink to a funeral mean? ›

Interestingly enough, pink colors are traditionally worn in China by funeral attendees if the deceased is eighty years old or older, as the Chinese believe that living to eighty or beyond is a cause for celebration, rather than a cause for mourning.

What is the best color flower for a funeral? ›

White flowers are the most commonly present at funerals. This traditional color choice represents honor, peace, and innocence. Pink is considered a respectful color choice, used to express gentleness and sympathy. Red flowers symbolize love, as well as beauty and strength.

What does wearing blue to a funeral mean? ›

Ultimately, wearing a dark or blue suit to a funeral is a respectful way to honor the deceased. As long as you wear it with the appropriate level of solemnity and ensure your clothing is well-groomed, you should achieve a dignified look for such a somber event.

What splash colors mean? ›

In filmmaking, the term splash of color refers to the effect of the use of a colored item on an otherwise monochrome image to draw extra attention to the item.

What is a pop of color for a funeral? ›

Much like with men's funeral attire, color should be used to subtly accent your outfit. Try to make sure that your outfit does not have overly bright colors or wild patterns that draw attention. Remember, you are there to mourn the loss and support the family, you outfit should not make you the center of attention.

What does orange mean at a funeral? ›

Blue can also express peace, hope, and well wishes. Pink flowers signify compassion, sympathy, and innocence. Pink can also suggest remembrance, making it a common colour for funeral flower arrangements. Orange flowers signify excitement, happiness, joy, enthusiasm, and warmth.

What to wear to a funeral that says bright colors? ›

If no dress code has been specified, it is best to opt for conservative and respectful clothing. Black or dark-colored clothing is commonly worn at funerals in the United Kingdom, but muted tones such as navy blue or gray are also acceptable.

What do bright colors at a funeral mean? ›

In some African countries, as well as the Caribbean and West Indies, bright colors are also the most appropriate. Because, like celebration of life services, these cultures focus on the life they lived more than their death.

How do you look classy at a funeral? ›

A funeral isn't usually the place to wear an ultra-short mini dress, so hemlines can remain around or below the knee, and spaghetti straps are sometimes a no-go. Instead, opt for a sleeveless, cap sleeve or long-sleeved dress, or pair a shirt or turtle neck with a pair of black flared trousers.

How do you get a color guard at a funeral? ›

You may contact your local funeral home director to initiate a request for Military Funeral Honors for a deceased Veteran. You will need to provide proof of military service in the form of a DD-214 or Statement of Service.

How to request color at a funeral? ›

When arranging a colourful funeral, you can ask guests to wear colours of their choice or simply stick to one colour which may have been your loved one's favourite. We suggest giving attendees the option of wearing vibrant colours or dressing in traditional funeral colours, should they feel more comfortable doing so.

What's not appropriate to wear to a funeral? ›

First and foremost, dress appropriately. This means no jeans, shorts, or tank tops. Instead, opt for dark, conservative clothing. Women should avoid wearing anything too revealing or flashy, and men should make sure their clothing is clean and wrinkle-free.

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