我國的喪服制度淵遠流長，雖然代有因革，不過總以《儀禮》〈喪服〉為宗，且 以發揮親親、尊尊的人文思想為根本意旨。綜觀《儀禮》〈喪服〉所載，固然不以總結親族 關係為限，但是親屬關係卻是全篇的核心所在，其目的就在於藉此以達到凝聚家族的向心力 ；因為「家」是人類最基礎、最重要的社會組織，必待「家」之能齊、能團結聚合，然後才 能進而談論治國、平天下的大事。要齊家，則首先要穩定與和諧家屬成員之間的關係，尤其 在面對特別的狀況時，更應審慎處理。孤子興繼父之間，就是一種特殊的親屬關係，因此本 文選擇「為繼父服喪」的主題，從詁訓名義而闡發義理，藉以明瞭其制禮原義。首先，透過 經傳等相關紀錄，以釐清「繼父」的名義，待「繼父」名義既明，再行深入探討其制禮原義 ：從風俗的蛻變，說明「叔接嫂」等收繼婚風俗與制定「繼父」名義的相關；從禮制的設想 ，分由思、理、節、權的不同角度，闡發制禮者的人文關懷。企圖經由此一闡述，使人不但 可以明白「禮本於俗」的根本事實，同時更可以理解「俗歸於禮」的理想層次，而獲得納俗 於禮以彰顯人道的結論。

　　　　　Funeral attire customs have a long history in China, and many can be traced back to the guidelines set forth in the ancient Yi-li (Ceremony and Ritual) text. In the "Sang-fu" 喪服 (Funeral Attire) section of the Yi-li, the focus of discussion is less on the clothing itself than its underlying significance, which involves the relationships among family members and relatives. The function of funeral attire, it states, is to strengthen family bonds and relationships, which is vital to maintaining soci al harmony on a larger scale. In the present paper, the author discusses the relationship between son and stepfather, and how this relationship is expressed in funeral attire and customs. After clarifying the semantic definition of "stepfather," the author goes on to discuss related customs and culture. The following issues are explored in detail: (1) the relationship between the meaning of "stepfather" and the custom of a man taking the widow of his deceased brother as his wife; (2) the emotional and rational aspects of this custom.