What to Wear to a Funeral

As the date for a funeral draws near, you may start to turn your attention to what you should wear to such an event. This post will walk you through the basics of how to dress for a funeral, so you can plan your outfit and take this matter off of your mind.

What to Wear to a Funeral – Women

There are plenty of suitable options for women to wear to a funeral service. Basically, any kind of outfit that would be suitable for a business setting would be fitting for a funeral – you can think about it as dressing “nice” without needing to go too formal or over-the-top. A simple dress or skirt and blouse would be appropriate, as would a pantsuit. Some of the key points to keep in mind when trying to decide what to wear to a celebration of life include the following –

• Nothing flashy. The key here is really to keep your outfit understated and subtle. You aren’t trying to grab attention with your clothes – this is an event that is all about honoring the deceased and their memory.

• Consider the weather. If there is going to be an outdoor, graveside component to the service, keep the weather forecast in mind to make sure you aren’t too cold or hot. You may be standing outside for some time, so protection from the elements will help you stay comfortable.

• Be true to yourself. While it’s a good idea to avoid flashy garments, you should still be true to yourself and not force yourself to wear something that is far outside of your standard dress. In the end, your clothes aren’t the focus of the day, so don’t let them distract from the occasion.

What to Wear to a Funeral – Men

The thinking for a man is much the same as it is for a woman, only with different types of garments. Men who work in an office can expect to dress in a similar fashion for a funeral, with button-down shirts, ties, slacks, and dress shoes all making for good picks. If you are trying to figure out what to wear to a funeral in the summer, you might stick with the slacks but swap in a golf shirt to stay cooler.

Religious Considerations

• What to Wear to a Jewish Funeral. If you will be attending a Jewish funeral and you wish to honor the traditions of the faith. Today, attending a Jewish wedding doesn’t call for anything different than a funeral in any other situation – the advice that we have provided above still applies. Dress in a respectful, understated manner and you will be all set.

• What to Wear to a Catholic Funeral. The story is much the same when attending a Catholic funeral. You won’t need to dress differently than for any other funeral, so stick with the basics and make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. 

The Tradition of Wearing Black

As you think about clothing for a funeral, you probably first think about wearing black. But do you have to wear black to a funeral? And why do people wear black to funerals, anyway? Let’s take a closer look –

• It’s not required. The tradition of wearing black to funerals dates back centuries, and while it remains a commonly accepted practice, it is certainly not required.

• Plenty of alternatives. Don’t want to wear black or don’t have any such garments in your closet? Gray and dark blue are two good alternatives, as both avoid the flashy look of brighter shades, so you won’t stand out from the crowd.

• Note any requests. In some cases, the family of the deceased will go out of their way to ask attendees not to wear black. The thinking goes that everyone dressing in black will not create the celebration of life that they hoped to hold. Of course, in this case, you should honor the request of the family and dress in a fashion that will bring their vision to reality. 

Planning a Funeral? We Can Help

Memoria works with families to find affordable products and services, assists with challenging tasks like writing an obituary or eulogy, and much more. Don’t hesitate to reach out to get started right away.