Wearing a deceased loved one’s clothes is generally allowed and can be an act of remembrance or charity — but if the garments cause ongoing distress, the kindest choice may be to donate them.
Wearing the clothing of someone who has died has long been a sensitive topic across many cultures and religious beliefs. People often see this practice as a symbol of respect, remembrance, or emotional connection to the deceased.
Wearing a deceased person’s clothes is not considered religiously problematic. If there are many garments and they are suitable for use, it is preferable for heirs to wear them or give them to those in need, which is considered meritorious. However, if keeping the clothing causes the owner to become repeatedly grief-stricken every time they see those items, it is better not to keep them.
Wearing a deceased person’s clothes can be viewed either as a spiritual experience or as a superstitious practice. The meaning varies by culture and personal belief. In some traditions, wearing a loved one’s clothing helps people feel close to that person and keeps memories alive; this can be consoling and help with grieving. Some hold the view that the deceased’s energy or spirit lingers in their belongings and that wearing those items transfers some of that energy.
On the other hand, other cultural beliefs warn that wearing a deceased person’s clothes could bring bad luck or negative energy. These ideas tend to be cultural and psychological rather than scientific. Whether wearing such clothes is experienced as spiritual comfort or as superstition depends on the individual’s beliefs and cultural context.
If retaining a deceased person’s clothes repeatedly triggers distress or longing, the article advises giving them to those in need. This not only carries religious reward in many traditions but can also reduce emotional burden.
The practice of wearing or keeping a deceased person’s garments has deep roots in many world cultures and is performed for a range of reasons: respect for the dead, preserving memories, or religious and spiritual customs.
In many ancient societies, garments placed with the dead were part of burial rites. These items served both practical and symbolic purposes, honoring the deceased and marking remembrance. Some communities included the deceased’s clothing as offerings or as part of religious ceremonies.
Across cultures, using a deceased person’s clothes can express appreciation for their life or serve as a tangible reminder of shared memories. However, meanings differ widely and the practice should be approached with sensitivity to local customs and religious norms.
From a scientific standpoint there is no evidence that wearing a deceased person’s clothing transfers any kind of “energy” from the dead to the living. Energy in scientific terms refers to heat, light, electricity, and so on; there is no mechanism by which a person’s spirit or life energy is passed via garments.
Beliefs that objects retain the deceased’s energy are primarily cultural and psychological. People may feel that wearing a loved one’s clothes helps them keep a connection; this is an emotional response rather than a demonstrable physical effect. If keeping those clothes causes continuous remembrance and distress, the article advises donating them to the needy, both for spiritual reward and to ease emotional weight.
Some communities treat wearing a deceased person’s clothes as a tribute and a way to honor the person’s life; others see it as a way to maintain emotional ties. Yet in some cultural contexts, the practice carries superstitious warnings. Because meanings vary, it is important to respect the sensitivities and rituals of each society.
The items placed with the dead vary by culture and religious practice. Common examples include:
Shroud (kafan): A white cloth wrapped around the body.
Religious books: In some traditions a holy book or prayers are placed with the deceased.
Personal items: Objects such as a watch, glasses, or items with sentimental value.
Flowers and plants: Used as a sign of respect and remembrance.
Sacred soil or relics: In some Islamic traditions, small amounts of soil from holy sites (for example, Karbala) may be placed near the grave.
Special garments: In certain cultures, particular clothing items of religious or cultural significance may be buried with the person.
These practices differ by culture and faith, and each community may follow its own funerary customs.
Tip |
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Wearing a deceased person’s clothes is generally permissible; heirs may wear them or give them to those in need (an act often seen as meritorious). |
If seeing or keeping those clothes repeatedly triggers sorrow or makes grief worse, consider donating them to the needy to reduce emotional burden. |
Recognise the difference between cultural belief and scientific fact: there is no evidence that “energy” transfers via clothing. |
Respect local customs and religious sensitivities before acting — practices and meanings vary between communities. |
When unsure about the right action in your religious tradition, consult knowledgeable local religious authorities for guidance. |
