

The feet probably won’t be seen, especially for half-couch casket viewings. The person who died may also have a favorite pair of shoes that would be meaningful if they were buried in them.įor a couple reasons shoes may not be worn at all. Wearing shoes for the deceased is optional. Some families want their loved ones to have shoes because they like knowing that the deceased is fully dressed. Here are some clothing items that complete the burial outfit of your loved one: Shoes These are available in different sizes to fit tiny infants as well. For babies, some charities and companies create handmade baby funeral clothes.For instance, if your female loved one has been sick for a while and had always been dressed in a nightgown, that could be an appropriate burial outfit. Older people can be dressed in their usual clothing.They seldom wear suits and dresses, so a nice shirt and a pair of jeans could also be suitable for a funeral. Dress younger people in more casual clothes.Keeping the burial clothing appropriate also means that it should match the age and lifestyle of the deceased. If you are considering an accessory or an outfit choice that is controversial in any way, you may want to consult more family or a funeral director just to get consensus on what is appropriate. You have some degree of freedom in choosing the burial clothes of your loved one, but you still have to keep the outfit appropriate for the funeral service. It will be most authentic if it comes directly from the person’s wardrobe Keep It Appropriate Burial clothing does not have to be traditional. If you were close to the person who died, you will likely already have an idea of what they would prefer. If you choose from their own wardrobe it will be the most accurate image and will help the mourners to remember the deceased fondly. The same thing applies to veterans who are often buried in military uniform.Įven if there is no strong affiliation, you can simply match their outfit according to their style and preference. What image do you have of your missed loved one and what would truly represent how they lived?įor example, if your loved one was a member of a sports team, you might dress them in their sports jersey. Did they have a favorite color? Did they dress in a particular style? Think about their occupation, affiliations, hobbies, and interests. Consider the Personality of the Deceasedīase your loved one’s burial clothes according to what they would usually wore when they were alive. Sounds obvious, but a peek into their closet may provide inspiration. If not instructions were left to follow, did they have a favorite? It is up to you to decide what you think would be the best outfit. This makes deciding on a burial outfit much easier. In case the deceased has left instruction on what clothes to bury them in, simply dress them according to what they specified. They may have left a statement in their will about how they wanted to be dressed when they die, or they may have told a family member about their final outfit choice. The first thing to consider in choosing burial clothing is the final wishes of the deceased.

Here are some important steps in picking the final outfit for your loved one: Consider Your Loved One’s Final Wishes Because the viewing will serve as the mourners’ final chance to see the person who died, the deceased must be presented in his or her finest look. Half couch is most common, where the deceased is visible from the torso up.
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How to Choose Burial Clothesĭuring a funeral, the body is commonly displayed for viewing in either a full-couch or half-couch casket. Be sure to express your wishes and intents. If you are a family member, the funeral director will help coordinate the burial clothes. This can be a convenient option, especially if the deceased has recently changed weight and doesn’t have clothes that fit. This is usually the spouse or closest living relative.įuneral directors may also provide the surviving family with a selection of burial clothes and funeral gowns. This responsibility usually falls on the person closest to the deceased. Who Chooses Burial Clothes for the Loved One?įamilies usually provide the burial clothing for their loved one.

It is up to you to decide what is appropriate and determine what is most fitting for your loved one. As times have changed, the world is more casual than ever. Suits and dresses are considered traditional for burial clothing, but there aren’t any rules governing what the deceased should wear. Funeral gowns for deceased women, also called burial gowns, commonly have long sleeves and high necklines. Women are dressed in funeral gowns or dresses. Traditionally, deceased men are dressed in formal attire such as suits. Traditional Burial Clothes and Funeral Gowns
