White is the funeral color. Black is also appropriate. I don't think there is a need for jackets or dress. So white shirt and dark color trousers would be appropriate.

Black, universal rule. If it's family, best attire, to see and be seen, dressing well in black is critical, if not or wrong colors, you'll be the topic for all relatives for years to come, and never forgiven.

I should have mentioned: this is Catholic funeral.

As for my wife's knowledge: she was born in the US and only been to HK 3 or 4 times. Afraid she and I are both in the same boat with this issue.

Thank you to all who have responded, as you've been reinforcing my initial feelings on the issue.

You want to show final and highest respect to the departed, so formal attire would be appropriate. (Though not all attendees follow that.) For guys, that would be full suit, black, white shirt, and a tie with more subdue colors (e.g. black or dark colors).

Females - wear black color also not white.

Then it'll be a Western style funeral - i.e. all dress dark/black, just like you would at any Christian style funeral in the US.

For the white dress at Taoist funerals: my wife told me that she had to go in white (because it was her grandmother), while non-close relatives (like me) were not to wear white at all but black or dark blue. White was specifically reserved for close family members, so not as TSS suggests the general funeral colour..

Of course it being Taoism, those habits and rules may vary from family to family, which is why if in doubt it's best to ask the ones directly involved.

Since it's a close relative, you should probably dress toward the more formal. If you will be standing up there as part of the family thanking visitors for coming to pay their respects, you should wear a black suit, white shirt and a dark colored tie.

You definitely don't want to wear red (associated with happier times). For visitors (not immediate family), we normally dress quite casual these days, paying attention to the colors.

In HK, as wvmarle said, for a western style funeral, also follow its tradition, dress black.

Western style Christian funerals follow the same protocol as Europe / USA. Dark clothing etc.

But Tao Buddhist funerals are very different. Firstly they normally take place over 2 days. Close relatives, i.e Husband / Wife, Mother /Father, Son / Daughter, Brother / Sister or equivalent in laws must wear all white (including shoes). Other attendees who knew the deceased but are not closely related can wear pretty much anything, but Red is a no, no!

A couple of other points to be aware of:

Guests are expected to give the host some licee, but it must be an odd number such as $101 or $201 but never 100 or 200. and should be in a white envelope. You will be given an envelope in return containing a small amount of money, normally 1 or 2 dollars, and a sweet. You must eat the sweet before you leave the ceremony and you must also spend the money before going home. So use it for your taxi / bus fare or buy something from 7/11. Bad luck to take it home!

Of course there are other traditions that must be observed, but these are a couple of the main points, hope you never need it, but if you do, I hope it helps!

Good info from #9. It just puzzles me though, why someone's first post is to reply to an old thread about funerals.