Attire for Celebration of Life
 

What is the recommended attire for a Celebration of Life at a Rec Center in TV? I've been to two of these since living in TV. One was at a funeral home in Southern Trace and attire was what I expected- business casual in dark colors, women with skirts or dress slacks. The other was at a Rec Center and almost everyone was in shorts. The time was about the same- 5 pm- 7 pm. Is the difference because one was at a funeral parlor and the other at a Rec Center?

Ladies- what do you wear?

I've been to a bunch of wakes, and sat Shiva with many relatives and others. I've learned it all depends on the person who's dead. If it was some awesome surfer who lived life on his own terms as an intentional beach bum and wrote poetry, I'd assume the event would NOT be at a funeral parlour, but instead at the beach, and everyone would be wearing their swimsuits and shred the waves in his honor.

If it was a CPA who adhered to routine, was traditional in how he behaved in public and lifestyle, I'd assume it'd be held in a funeral home, and I'd wear nice pants or a skirt and top that wasn't too revealing.

If it was a person of great importance (a President, a mega star, British royalty, esteemed poet laureate of a university, etc) I'd probably wear a knee-length or calf-length, non-formfitting dress in dark tones with a shawl to cover my shoulders if it was sleeveless, and regular shoes instead of sandals or sneakers.

If it was a street musician, I'd wear jeans and a tee-shirt and bring my guitar to the family memorial service and jam with everyone else in his honor.

All the above are direct personal experiences. The surfer one, I didn't shred. I body-surfed. But that counts.

I went to a work mates funeral some years ago, and he requested his team mates from his soccer club to all come a Elvis, and their wives and girl friends as Dusty Springfield.
Never been to such a funny, happy wake in all my life!

I’ve been in Florida for 26 years , many living at beach,I have never gone out at night winter or summer in shorts, jeans or slacks mostly Amani or Hugo Boss ( yes I’m a snob), plus the older we get I’m 81 , the less leg I want to show . Look guys get out of those shorts sometimes when you go to a nice restaurant, funeral of other things

Funeral homes creep me out and it would be difficult to celebrate anything there. But, I would definitely wear something nicer at a funeral home than at a rec center.

When my father passed he was buried in tennis shorts, tee shirt and sneakers. That's how the service was attended (well, sweat pants) although it was 30 degrees and right after an 8" snow. When we gave the funeral director his clothes we did get a funny look. The Rabbi loved it. Attire you wear depends on the person.

Nothing sexier than a man in a nice, well-fitted suit!

kathy

Always respect and wear a suit for your last goodbyes...

So true.

Agree. Casual attire is fine but shorts and flip flops isnt nice at a funeral home. But, honestly, if I had someone coming to pay respects to a loved one, I wouldnt care what they wore. I would be appreciative they took the time to come

Does it matter what people wear to a celebration of life. You are there to celebrate a life now gone. Celebrate a memory. Share stories. Laugh. That's how I would want people to celebrate my life.

I suspect that if you really knew who the individual was and actually had a relationship with them, you'd pretty much know how to show up at their celebration of life. Whenever I've attended a wake, funeral, Shiva or celebration of life I've dressed the way I would anticipate that those that the individual 'left behind' will be attired.

Thankyou and my suits
 

Are Hugo Boss and I look good in them , see I’m not just a snob , I’m a conceited one lol

In Florida things are more casual. In The Villages, at wakes, people usually try to look a little more spruced and less casual than usual. They remove their golf visors and usually wear pedal pushers rather than shorts if they are female and many gentlemen will opt for a golf shirt and long pants.

In The Villages you can usually tell a newbie by her longer hair and high heels and her male companion by his loafers with no socks. A true Villager wears shorts almost all of the time except for December and January when they wear warm stuff and jackets and sweaters and shoes that cover their toes.

There have sadly been no gatherings for celebration of life when a person passes during this Pandemic that I know of. Families are delaying these ceremonies until it is no longer dangerous to gather, even for this very supportive and caring event.

Seems to me it varies by family. But I suspect they would be happy you are there no matter what your attire is.