What do you wear to a Hawaiian funeral?

What do you wear to a Hawaiian funeral?

These days almost anything goes, but only when you know it’s the right thing. In fact, sometimes the deceased has specified the dress code; Aloha or casual attire is a common request in Hawaii. If you can’t learn the wishes of the family, then dress conservatively.

What is a traditional Hawaiian funeral?

Native Hawaiians traditionally believe that iwi carries the deceased’s spiritual essence (called “mana”). In their funeral practices, the deceased’s body is placed in an underground oven called an “imu.” In the imu, the flesh is cleanly removed from the skeletal bone.

Do Hawaiians wear leis at funerals?

In Hawaii, all important occasions are times to wear a lei. Memorial services and funerals are included in these occasions. As a symbol of respect and love for the person who departed, many Hawaiians wear leis to funerals for loved ones. The funeral service area may also be decorated with leis.

What should I bring to a Hawaiian funeral?

Bring gifts, sympathy cards, and flowers Leis are a sign of respect at Hawaiian funerals — both native and modern. Bringing a lei to drape over the casket is a token of respect. If the family chooses an ocean burial, it’s appropriate to throw the lei into the ocean to mourn the deceased.

What is Hawaiian dress code?

Hawaii has its own kind of dress code and it’s decidedly casual. From flip-flops and board shorts to aloha shirts and long-flowing muumuus, attire in “The Aloha State” reflects the friendly “hang loose” lifestyle of the Islands.

What is appropriate for funeral attire?

Traditionally, funeral etiquette suggests men and women wear black clothing that’s conservative and respectful. Black or dark colours are most common, but some cultures expect mourners to wear a less traditional funeral colour.