The word ‘funeral’ is believed to have first been used by Geoffrey Chaucer, who is often considered the father of the English language. It appeared in writing in his Middle English work The Knight’s Tale, in which he refers to a ‘funeral servyse’ after a character passes away. It was published in 1386, making it the first written use of the word funeral that we know of (source: HL Marks Memorial). 

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Why Funeral Wear Black

It is a long-standing tradition that funeral attendees wear black to show respect for the deceased. But why is black the go-to color for funerals? While the color black has many different meanings, it is often associated with death, mourning, and grief. Wearing black to a funeral is a way to show respect for the person who has died and to express your own sadness and condolences to their loved ones.

black is also a color of strength and resilience. In the face of death, black can be a reminder that life goes on and that we must all eventually face our own mortality.

So, while there is no one right answer to the question of why funeral attendees wear black, it is clear that this tradition has a long history and deep meaning. Whether you choose to wear black to show respect, express your grief, or remember your own mortality, doing so can be a powerful way to honor the life of the person who has died.

Why Funeral Wear White

It is a widely held belief that white is the traditional color of mourning. While the color black has come to be associated with death and grief in Western cultures, white has been the color of mourning for centuries in many cultures around the world.

In ancient Egypt, white was the color of purity and innocence. It was also the color of mourning, as it symbolized the purity of the soul that had passed on to the afterlife.

In ancient Greece, white was the color of mourning as well. It was believed that the soul of the deceased was purified by the white light of the sun, and that the body should be clothed in white to reflect this purity.

In China, white is the color of death and grief. White is also the color of purity and innocence, and it is believed that the soul of the deceased is purified by the white light of the moon.

In many cultures, white is seen as a color of hope and renewal. In the Western world, white is often associated with weddings and christenings, as it symbolizes new beginnings.

While the color black has come to be associated with death and grief in Western cultures, white has a long history of being associated with mourning in many cultures around the world.

Cemetery vs Graveyard: While both are places where people are buried, a graveyard is affiliated with a church and a cemetery is not. Graveyards are often smaller, located on church grounds and may be limited to people of that faith or members of the church. Cemeteries are often larger and open to anyone who wishes to be buried there.

What is Graveyard: Cemetery vs Graveyard

A graveyard is a place where dead people are buried.

Most graveyards are in cemeteries, which are special places for burying the dead. Cemeteries are usually located on the outskirts of towns and cities.

Graveyards have been around for thousands of years. The first graveyards were probably just simple pits where people were buried. Over time, people began to build more elaborate graves and tombs for their dead.

Today, graveyards are still used for burial, but they are also places where people go to remember and honor their deceased loved ones.

If you have ever been to a graveyard, you may have noticed that there are many different types of headstones and monuments. Headstones are the most common type of monument in a graveyard. They are usually made of stone or marble and bear the name, dates, and sometimes a short message about the person who is buried there.

Monuments are larger than headstones and are often more ornate. They can be made of stone, bronze, or even marble. Some monuments are very simple, while others are very elaborate.

If you are interested in learning more about graveyards, there are many books and websites that can provide you with more information. Hope you have a clear idea about what is a cemetery and what is a graveyard and you can easily distingush between cemetery vs graveyard.