What to wear at a funeral
If you’ve never been to a funeral before, you might be wondering what you should or shouldn’t wear. Read our guide for practical advice and tips.
Traditionally, people wear black or dark coloured formal clothing at a funeral, but this isn’t always the case. Some families are choosing to wear brighter colours, ones that might have meant something to the person who died. Before you decide what to wear to a funeral, talk to the family. Find out if they have any particular ideas to personalise the funeral, or colours that they’d like people to wear.
Funeral outfits: Ideas for women
If you’re attending a traditional funeral, you might want to stick to formal clothes in dark colours. This doesn’t have to be black – it could be grey or burgundy. Dresses or skirts / trousers, jacket and a top, whatever you consider looks smart will be fine. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable about how you look.
Here are a few ideas:
- A dark coloured skirt or trousers with a plain coloured blouse and blazer style jacket
- A dark coloured dress – either knee length or long – with dark tights
- A plain jumper with dark trousers and a smart dark coloured coat
Funeral outfits: Ideas for men
Men’s funeral outfits tend to be less varied, and most tend to stick to a dark or black suit with a white shirt, plain dark tie, and smart shoes. If you don’t have a suit, you could pair dark trousers or smart jeans with a long-sleeved shirt, black tie, and a smart black coat. If you don’t have any of these things, that’s ok, wear anything that you feel comfortable in. The most important thing is that you’re there.
What to wear at a summer funeral
If the funeral is taking place on a hot day, make sure you’ll be comfortable in the clothes you choose. Try and find outfits in more breathable materials such as cotton and linen and remember to bring sunglasses for any parts of the funeral that take place outside. You can still wear a suit, but it’s OK to take the jacket off if it becomes uncomfortable.
What to wear at a winter funeral
For funerals taking place in colder weather, make sure to wear warm clothes and add layers to your outfit. This could be a smart jumper underneath your suit jacket, or a plain t-shirt hidden under your shirt or blouse. Wear a dark, smart coat along with a hat, scarf and gloves – and don’t forget an umbrella in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.
What not to wear at a funeral
The general rule for clothing at funerals is to be respectful to the family’s wishes. If the family have requested bright colours or a particular theme, this is fine. but in most cases it’s best to avoid:
- ripped jeans
- flip flops or trainers
- football shirts/sportswear
- caps
- t-shirts
- clothing with inappropriate slogans
Why is black worn for funerals?
Wearing black for a funeral is a tradition that goes back centuries and continues in many cultures around the world today. Black is an understated, modest, and respectful colour that reflects the sadness felt by family and friends, especially on the day of the funeral. In the UK, we’re seeing a shift towards more colourful funerals as families try to make the day as personal to their loved one as possible, but some funerals still hold onto the traditional black clothing.
Can I wear jeans to a funeral?
While it’s not traditional to wear jeans to a funeral, there’s no rule to say you shouldn’t. There’s been a move away from strict formal wear in recent years and so if you’re more comfortable wearing jeans, then you should feel able to do so.
If in doubt about the dress code for the funeral you’re going to, the best thing to do is ask. Either contact a family member or speak with the funeral home who are making the arrangements. They’ll be able to tell you if there are any specific requests the family have made regarding how they want people to dress. But it’s worth remembering, the most important thing isn’t what you’re wearing, it’s that you’re there.
