Customs Guide
What to wear to a Chinese funeral
Dress for a Chinese funeral is quiet and plain. The rules are simple once you know them, and a guest who follows them shows the family respect before saying a word.
For guests: dark, plain, and modest
Wear subdued colors — black, white, navy, dark gray, or dark brown. A suit or dress shirt for men and a simple dress, blouse, or suit for women is right. Keep jewelry minimal and avoid anything shiny or decorative. Shoes should be plain and closed-toe.
The one firm rule is to avoid red. Red is the color of weddings, birthdays, and the New Year; at a funeral it is a serious breach of custom. Bright pinks, oranges, and yellows are avoided for the same reason, and some families also avoid gold. When in doubt, choose black or white.
What the family wears
The immediate family — spouse, children, and their spouses, grandchildren — traditionally wears white or black, and in some regional traditions coarse hemp garments (麻衣) worn over their clothes. In most funerals today the family dresses in black or white and adds a mourning armband, cloth strip, or pin (孝布) that shows their relationship to the deceased. The color of the cloth traditionally differs by generation: children in white or black, grandchildren in blue, great-grandchildren in green — though many families now use a single color.
The funeral home provides these mourning cloths and pins. If you are a family member and unsure what to wear, ask us — we will tell you what your family's tradition calls for.
The exception: a long and full life
When an elder dies at an advanced age after a full life with many descendants, some families treat the funeral as a 喜喪 — a “joyful mourning.” The family may add touches of pink or even red, and guests may be given a red thread or a red envelope on leaving. If this applies, the family will tell guests in advance; otherwise, assume the usual rule and wear dark colors.
Small practical points
- Bring a light jacket or cardigan: the chapel may be cool during a long wake.
- Turn your phone to silent before you enter.
- By custom, some families change out of funeral clothing before returning home, or wash them separately. This is a personal practice, not a requirement for guests.
- Children may attend, dressed as adults are. Very young children are often left with a relative during the rites themselves.
Last reviewed October 2026 by Wah On Funeral Home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear white to a Chinese funeral?
Yes. White is a traditional mourning color in Chinese culture, and both white and black are appropriate for guests and family.
Is it disrespectful to wear red to a Chinese funeral?
Yes. Red is reserved for celebrations. The only exception is a 喜喪, the funeral of an elder who lived a very long life, and the family will say so if it applies.
Do I need to wear a mourning armband as a guest?
No. Armbands, cloth strips, and pins are worn by the immediate family and are provided by the funeral home.
Whatever your family’s traditions, we will help you honor them
And we will help your guests understand them. If you have a question about any custom, or about how to blend traditions across generations and faiths, call us. We are glad to explain.