What to Wear to an Indian Funeral
For Hindu and Sikh funerals, white is the traditional colour of mourning rather than black. Because families differ, and many in the UK and US now expect dark clothing, this is the single most important thing to check before you dress.
- Ask first
- A one-line message to whoever invited you — "is the family wearing white or dark?" — is completely normal and saves the only real mistake available here.
- Hindu funerals
- Traditionally white or off-white, simple and modest. Many families now accept or prefer dark, subdued clothing.
- Sikh funerals
- Modest dress, and the head must be covered by everyone in the gurdwara. Take a plain scarf. Shoes come off at the door.
- Everyone
- Cover arms and legs. Avoid black in strictly traditional Hindu settings and avoid red anywhere.
Hindu services
- 1
Cremation is usual, often soon after the death.
- 2
Guests are commonly asked to remove shoes at the crematorium chapel or the family home.
- 3
There may be an open casket and there may be prayers you are not expected to join. Following what others do is the whole etiquette.
Sikh services
- 4
The head is covered by everyone in the gurdwara, including men and non-Sikh guests. Plain scarves are usually available if you arrive without one.
- 5
Shoes come off and are left at the entrance.
- 6
Langar — a shared meal — often follows. Staying for it is part of paying respects.
If you are not sure which tradition
- 7
Ask whoever told you about the service. Nobody is offended by the question and everyone has been asked it before.
- 8
If you cannot ask and must guess: modest, covered, subdued, no red, and take a scarf.
Questions people actually ask
Do you wear white or black to an Indian funeral?
White is the traditional mourning colour at Hindu funerals, but many families in Western countries now wear dark clothing. Ask the family — it is a normal question and it is the one thing worth getting right.
Do I have to cover my head at a Sikh funeral?
Yes, everyone does, including non-Sikh guests. A plain scarf works, and gurdwaras usually keep spares at the entrance.