5 top tips to add a splash of colour at a funeral service
Last updated 16th February 2024
3 min read
When it comes to planning a funeral, why not forget black and opt for a splash of colour instead?
Perhaps your loved one had a vibrant personality, or you're planning your own funeral as a celebration of life. If so, a bright palette can make the day that bit more personal and positive.
You might be unsure about how to strike the right tone, or think the idea of adding colour to funeral arrangements sounds a bit tricky. So here are our 5 top tips 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 you could all stick to 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. A scarf, tie, hair accessory or piece of jewellery could be perfect.
But it's worth politely reminding attendees that wearing a colourful funeral outfit is optional. Some 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 things 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. 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 have family or a specialist paint the coffin with your own design as part of your funeral plans.
5. Balloon release
A balloon release can be a touching way to bring friends and family together. It can also help add colour to funeral arrangements.
Give each guest a bright balloon. (Make sure you use latex balloons, which are 100% biodegradable.) Ask them to think of a happy memory or make a wish as you all release them together, and watch as they float away.
This can be done straight after the funeral, as a tribute at the end of the wake, or at a special place another time.
Talk about your funeral wishes
Adding colour to a funeral might go against tradition, but it's a wonderful way to reflect someone's personality. Colour can bring a sense of hope and positivity to a sad occasion. Just adding some small splashes here and there can 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. That's why we created My Perfect Send-Off – a free tool to help you record your funeral wishes. It guides you through the options you may want to consider, then saves your choices for you to give to your loved ones.
Or perhaps you want to get help with the cost of a funeral. Our guide to finding support for funeral costs has lots of helpful information and handy tips.
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