Q: What is considered proper clothing for a dead person to be buried in?

A: Quite simply, a deceased person can be clothed in any clothing or none at all. Other than religious practices, ethnic customs and family traditions that may dictate appropriate attire, there is no book of etiquette or other requirement that specifies a particular dress code for decedents. At the request of the bereaved family, the funeral director generally dresses the body in clothing chosen by the family.

In prehistoric times, the dead were buried in everyday clothing crafted from the hides of animals. An extra garment was usually placed in the grave as a gift. In Roman times, the dead were first dressed in a toga and then covered with the decedent’s finest robe. An early Christian and Jewish custom was to wrap the body in a shroud, which at those times was a plain cloth sack.

Today many ethnic groups continue to dress their dead in keeping with their centuries-old customs and traditions. For instance, Jews bury their dead wearing a shroud, called a Tachrichim. The Chinese dress their dead in very elaborate, fine and expensive clothing. The more prominent the dead person, the more elaborate is their clothing. The Amish custom is to dress the dead in white clothing, even though black clothing is worn during the person’s life. Vietnamese dead are also dressed in white clothing, and people who attend the funeral wear white as a sign of respect to the dead person. In Bali and most parts of Indonesia, the body is kept naked until it is time for burial. First it is wrapped in white cloth, then a straw mat, then in another white cloth and finally it is covered with bamboo that is tied around the body.

In Western societies, most people are dressed in their own clothes. Occasionally, unusual attire is requested, such as a team uniform, jumpsuit, pajamas or lingerie, wedding gowns or even a clown suit.

Clothing made specifically as “burial clothing” is available at all funeral homes. Men’s suits and women’s dresses or gowns can be purchased, especially when new clothing is desired. These gowns and suits, designed for burial purposes, can be opened in the back, making it easier to physically dress a deceased person. Despite rumors to the contrary, funeral directors clothe the entire body, and this includes placing undergarments, pants and socks on the body. Placing shoes on the feet is optional.

Decisions regarding clothing for the deceased will be discussed by the funeral director with the family during the arrangement conference. From coat and tie or formal evening gown to sweatshirt and Levi’s, the choice of clothing is left to the decedent’s family. The modern funeral encourages the expression of body, soul, spirit and afterlife according to one’s beliefs, lifestyle and needs. From the beginning of time, clothing has played an important role in how people choose to say goodbye.

Mike Kubasak is a licensed funeral director, embalmer and certified crematory operator. A former owner of a funeral home, he’s now a consultant and lectures throughout the country. He can be reached by calling (702) 345-3212 or via e-mail at mkubasak@aol.com.