When someone close to you dies, you may be tasked with selecting the clothing in which they will be buried. The decision may seem daunting, but it does not have to be. Here is a brief guide to picking out the funeral outfit for a deceased loved one.

Who Was Your Loved One?

The first step is to consider the deceased’s personality. This will help you determine how dressed up or casual you want to go. If they were not an overly formal person and the funeral service is more laid back, you can choose a casual outfit to suit that style.

Look for their favorite shirt or dress, and choose an outfit you know they loved to wear regularly. Start with a favorite color and narrow down choices from there. If the funeral is more formal and there are specific colors for flowers and the casket, dress the deceased to match. Choose a suit and tie or a dress as well as formal shoes.

Make sure the makeup and accessories also represent your loved one. If your mother never wore heavy eye makeup and red lipstick, they don’t have to be made up this way. The final look should reflect on the person as they were in life, and your loved one should be recognizable to everyone paying their respects.

Religious & Cultural Considerations

Be respectful of religious and cultural traditions when dressing a loved one. If you are not sure what the customs are, ask a leader in their faith for help. For example, in Islam, the body is wrapped in a burial shroud while in Judaism the deceased is buried in a white garment similar to a gown. In the Hindu religion, the deceased is buried in white traditional Indian clothing.

You may also choose to bury your loved one with heirlooms, jewelry, pictures, and other mementos. In some cases, jewelry is only worn during the funeral. After the service, it can be removed and given to the next of kin. Funeral home directors can guide you when it comes to jewelry.

For more than 75 years, Porto Funeral Homes has offered compassionate funeral and burial services to grieving families and friends in New Haven County, CT. This family-run funeral home provides support for every step of the funeral planning process. They also work with title 19 benefits and provide cremation services as an option for the deceased. Call (203) 467-3000 to reach the East Haven location or (203) 934-5000​ for West Haven.​​​​​​ Visit them online for a look at their resources and offerings.