What to Wear to a Native American Funeral

The General Rule: Modest, Dark, and Quiet

If you have been invited to a Native American funeral and are unsure what to wear, the safest approach is modest, conservative clothing in dark or muted colors. This applies broadly across tribal traditions, though specific expectations vary.

For men: dark slacks and a collared shirt or suit. For women: a long skirt or slacks with a modest top. Hats should be removed in ceremonial spaces. Keep jewelry minimal and understated — this is not the setting for statement pieces.

The underlying principle is that your clothing should not draw attention to you. The focus belongs on the deceased, the family, and the ceremony.

Colors to Avoid

Bright colors are generally restricted at Native American funerals. Red is particularly sensitive — in some traditions, wearing red to a funeral can signal satisfaction at the person's death, so ask the family before wearing it.

White, which is traditional mourning attire in some Hindu and South Asian traditions, is variable in Native American settings. It is not inherently wrong, but it is not the safe default. Stick with dark or earth-toned colors unless the family has communicated a specific preference.

Black, navy, dark grey, and muted earth tones are generally appropriate.

Ribbon Shirts and Ribbon Skirts

In many Plains, Woodland, and Great Lakes traditions, ribbon shirts (for men) and ribbon skirts (for women) are the traditional formal garment for ceremonies including funerals. These are handmade garments featuring strips of satin or grosgrain ribbon.

If you are a tribal member attending a funeral within your own cultural tradition, wearing a ribbon shirt or ribbon skirt is appropriate and often expected. If you are a non-Native guest, ask the family before wearing a ribbon shirt or skirt — these carry cultural significance that goes beyond formal attire.

For Lakota funerals specifically, the family may wear traditional regalia during certain portions of the ceremony. Guests who are not tribal members should wear Western formal clothing unless the family explicitly invites otherwise.

Footwear

Practical, respectful footwear matters more than you might think. Many Native American funerals include outdoor components — graveside services, cemetery walks, or ceremonies held on natural ground. Dress shoes that work on pavement may not work on reservation land.

Wear clean, dark, closed-toe shoes that can handle uneven terrain. Avoid anything flashy, open-toed, or impractical for standing and walking outdoors for extended periods.

When the Service Spans Multiple Days

Lakota funerals involve a continuous three-day wake. Ojibwe ceremonies extend over four to five days. If you are attending multiple days of a multi-day service, you do not need to wear the exact same outfit each day — but maintain the same level of modesty and restraint throughout.

For overnight vigils, some families are understanding about attendees changing into more comfortable clothing during the late-night hours. Ask the family coordinator what is appropriate.

What Not to Bring or Wear

Beyond clothing, a few items are prohibited or inappropriate:

• Cameras, phones for photos or video — photography and recording during sacred portions of the service are prohibited. Keep your phone silent and in your pocket.
• Strong perfume or cologne — smudging with sacred medicines (sage, sweetgrass, cedar, tobacco) is part of many funeral ceremonies. Heavy fragrances interfere with the ceremonial atmosphere.
• Bright accessories — flashy jewelry, statement handbags, or attention-getting accessories.
• Anything with logos or text — keep clothing plain.

Ask When You Are Unsure

The most respectful thing you can do is ask. If you have been invited to a Native American funeral and you are not familiar with that specific tribal tradition, reach out to whoever invited you — or to the family coordinator — and ask what is expected.

Different tribes, different families, and different levels of traditional observance will have different expectations. A Navajo private burial is a very different setting from a Lakota three-day wake or a Haudenosaunee ten-day mourning period. What is appropriate in one may not be appropriate in another.

The consistent thread is respect: dress in a way that is quiet, modest, and deferential to the gravity of what the family is going through.

For a complete guide to attending and planning Native American funerals — including etiquette for non-Native guests, tribe-specific protocols, and what to expect at each stage of the service — see our Native American Funeral General Guide.