A Guide to Choosing a Dress Code for Celebration of Life

The liberty to step out of the dark-colored dress code of a traditional funeral is one of the reasons people choose cremation services like a celebration of life in Phoenix, AZ. But the freedom of a celebration of life comes with things to consider when deciding the dress code for the event. This article explains the most important factors to guide your decision.

Location of the ceremony

A significant advantage of having a celebration of life is that families can hold it anywhere. This means they are more likely to happen in informal venues like a restaurant, beach, or even someone’s home. Generally, somewhere meaningful to the deceased or the surviving family. Hence, when deciding on a dress code for your guests, it’s vital to consider what’s most comfortable for the location. If it’s outdoors, comfy footwear is necessary (flat shoes, sandals, etc.), and you may want to avoid light colors that can quickly get dirty.

Time of the day

Another thing, a celebration of life can occur at any time: dawn, afternoon, or late at night. There are no rules, but that doesn’t mean all kinds of clothes are suitable for all times of the day. If the event is happening at night when it’s more likely to be cold, your dress code should include coats, jackets, and sweaters—anything to make your guests feel warmer. In the afternoon with warmer weather? Breathable clothing options are better. You may also want to recommend protective accessories like sunglasses and sunscreen if there are outdoor activities.

Scheduled activities

What’s the plan? A celebration of life usually consists of activities meant to honor the deceased. It can be anything from a hike to a cozy night of watching your loved one’s favorite movies. Knowing what you intend to do at the ceremony should inform the right clothes for guests to wear. Say you are having a hike and a dinner after, then your dress code recommendations should include sneakers, light clothing, and dinner clothes. You should also consider the type of dinner. Will it be formal or a casual get-together around the table? Both are fine, but the dress choices are different.

The tone of the event

Finally, tone. There are no rules to a celebration of life events, meaning families can decide to mix up the mood or stick to the joyous atmosphere commonly associated with the service. Say some family members want a sober, traditional funeral-style event in the morning and a celebration at night. Your guests, especially those who can’t afford to go back for a change of clothes, may have to pack formal dresses for the morning service and informal clothes for evening activities. In practice, this can be dark, colored suits in the morning and breezy t-shirts and jeans at night. Or a costume if you want a themed event.

Ensuring your guests are comfortable is essential to having a successful event. And while creating a proper dress code for a celebration of life may not be straightforward, it is worth the effort. But you can contact us if you need help designing your dress code or other parts of the service. Our cremation services in Phoenix, AZ, include creating personalized services that honor the deceased and give guests a great time. Call us now or visit us here to get started.