Cultural Etiquette in Moments of Grief: 3 Colors You Should Never Wear to a Family Member’s Funeral 1

1. Bright Red: The Ultimate Symbol of Disrespect

In almost all Western and Eastern traditions, red is a color completely barred from traditional funeral services, though for wildly different cultural reasons.

• In Western Culture: Wearing bright red to a funeral is traditionally seen as a sign of malice, celebration, or a deliberate attempt to draw attention away from the deceased. It can be interpreted as a declaration of joy regarding the person’s passing.

• In Eastern Cultures (such as Chinese tradition): Red is strictly forbidden at funerals because it represents happiness, luck, and prosperity. Wearing it to a memorial service is considered a massive insult to the mourning family, as it directly contradicts the solemnity of the occasion.