What To Wear To A Funeral

What to Wear to a Funeral

What do you wear to a funeral?

Chances are, you’ve asked yourself that very question and that’s why you’re here. Funeral attire and expectations are constantly changing. While one family may wish for a more casual celebration of life, others arrange more traditional funeral services. Understandably, it can be difficult to know what funeral attire is appropriate to wear, and what should be avoided.

Attending a funeral service is about honoring the deceased, being there to support the family, and celebrating a life well lived. As such, most guests want to make sure their funeral attire is respectful and expresses sympathy to those who are mourning.

You’d actually be surprised how often we hear from people asking for advice about how to dress for a funeral. That’s why we’ve created this helpful guide. If you are planning to attend an upcoming funeral service, this should answer any questions you may have about what to wear to funeral. Please note that different cultures and religions may have different preferences when it comes to funeral attire. For this guide, we have outlined funeral attire suggestions for contemporary Western culture.

How to Dress for a Funeral?

Although men and women may wear different types of clothing, there are still some general funeral attire tips to keep in mind when planning an outfit.

Black is the traditional color to wear
Other darker colors are also acceptable
Avoid open collars
Pants/Dresses should reach the knee (avoid miniskirts or shorts)
Avoid flashy shoes or jewellery that will draw attention
Dress like you are headed to church or a job interview

Men’s Funeral Attire

At minimum, men should wear dark dress pants with a dress shirt and a tie. Ideally, men should opt to wear a suit that is black, a dark grey, or a dark navy.  A white dress shirt is the standard, but a black shirt is also acceptable. Ties should be solid or only have simple patterns, and should be black or another dark color. 

Women’s Funeral Attire

Women should look to dress conservatively with either a nice business suit or a simple dress with a sweater or blazer. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Instead of the cocktail party dress, choose the more subdued dress. Choose dark colors such as a black, grey, navy. You are there to honor the deceased. It is not the time to draw attention to yourself with loud, vibrant colors. Wear shoes that you will be comfortable in all day. Stilettoes and high heels might look great but might not be the best choice. Funerals can involve a lot of standing and walking especially if you are attending a graveside service. 

what to wear to a funeral two people holding eachother

Funeral Attire Dos and Don’ts

Consider where and when the service will be held: Make sure to select clothes appropriate for the weather conditions and type of ceremony.
Consider the culture: Different cultures have different customs for articles of clothing and color.
Ask for advice: If you’re unsure what to wear, don’t be afraid to contact the funeral director or ask a family member for advice.

Don’t

Underdress: If you feel like you might be underdressed, always err on the side of caution and dress more conservatively. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Go buy a new outfit: Chances are you have some clothes that you can wear which are respectful. Unless you can afford it, don’t go out and buy an entirely new outfit to wear.
Stress: Odds are the outfit you have selected is appropriate. Don’t spend unnecessary time stressing over your outfit and whether or not you’ll fit in.

Funeral Attire for Different Seasons

Depending on the type of service and time of year, you may need to be mindful of the weather. For instance, if you will be attending a graveside service in the summer, how you dress will be quite different than how you would for the same service in the winter.

Summer Funeral Attire Tips

If you will be attending a service in the summer, you will want to stick to lighter fabrics such as cotton and linens to help stay cool. You should also take into account how much time will be spent outside. For instance, if you are attending a graveside service, you may want to pack a pair of dark sunglasses.

Men should avoid wearing shorts and instead opt for lightweight slacks or dress pants. Make sure to avoid nylon, polyester, or any other synthetic clothing as that will trap in heat and leave you sweaty. Sandals are acceptable to wear, just make sure they more formal and avoid flip flops at all costs.

The best bet for women is to wear a light blouse and knee length skirt, or a light and comfortable dress. Shirts with short sleeves are also acceptable, but make sure to avoid wearing spaghetti straps or revealing too much of the shoulders or chest.

Winter Funeral Attire Tips

For funeral services taking place in the winter, the same rules of funeral attire apply. With that in mind, you do want to be sure to select appropriate outwear. This is especially true if you will be spending an extended period of time outdoors.

In the case of either gender, a classic pea coat or wool coat will keep you warm and looking respectful. Winter accessories can include a pair of gloves, a hat, and a scarf to help stay warm. Avoid wearing open-toed shoes and instead wear warm rain boots or winter footwear.