Are you wondering what to wear to a funeral? Whether it’s your first time attending a funeral or you’ve never attended one, many people like you usually get confused about the funeral dress.
Funerals or memorial services are stressful life events and not knowing what is the right clothes to wear makes it more difficult. We know that death is a part of life, but saying goodbyes to our family members, friends, or other loved ones is always hard. Thinking about something as seemingly inconsequential as clothing at a time like this is a bit difficult and overwhelming. However, you can show respect for the person who has passed and their family by wearing the right funeral clothes. This little effort and thought can actually visibly communicate your respect for the deceased.
So, it’s important to know what to wear at a funeral or memorial service. Keep reading this post to get answers to all your questions and stay away from the anxiety of unfamiliar circumstances.
Today in this blog, we’re going to tell you everything about funeral outfits. From general guidelines, what to wear to a funeral men and women, and what not to wear to a funeral, we’ve included everything in this guide. We’ve described funeral outfits for both men and women as well as kids in detail. So, follow this ultimate guide and make this entire process as simple and stress-free as possible. Let’s start.
What to Wear to a Funeral: General Guidelines
When in confusion about funeral attire, it is always best to go with a conservative option! Your dress should be simple to show respect for the deceased person whose life you are remembering.
Traditionally, black or dark-colored attire was preferred by mourners when attending any funeral or memorial services. However, these days, wearing a black dress for funeral isn’t compulsory. You should always dress in a way that shows respect to the deceased person and their family.
A rule of thumb that you should remember is to follow the formal dress code. Your goal is to demonstrate reverent respect for the solemnity of the occasion. For that, there is no better option than professional outfits to wear in these kinds of events.
Think about what you’ll wear if you’re attending a business meeting a job interview, or a traditional religious service. Those outfits would also be suitable for attending a viewing funeral services as well.
Funeral invitations are always sudden and unexpected, and that’s why you don’t have time to buy something new for the day, you obviously don’t want to wander around the shops when you’re grieving, right? So your wardrobe is your only place to start.
Try to wear something that communicates sympathy and mourning, but you also feel comfortable in that. Select the outfit by our location, the climate, and the culture of the deceased. Avoid wearing bright colors, vivid prints, and glittery fabrics. However, you can include a little pop of color in a scarf, earrings, or tie.
What to Wear To a Funeral for Women
As we already told you black isn’t always compulsory. Apart from black, you can select a dark-colored dress, skirt, or pair of trousers when attending or viewing a funeral. However, make sure that it isn’t in loud and vibrant shades. Instead, go with subtle colors like black, grey, dark blue, or red-violet.
The solid and neutral outfits are more decent looking than the ones with floral or pattern designs. Also, make sure your skirt or dress is of appropriate length. When it comes to women’s footwear for funerals, go with comfortable shoes such as flat shoes or pumps. As there will be a lot of sitting, standing, and walking, high heels can leave your feet aching and uncomfortable.
Keep the jewelry and accessories to a minimum. Don’t wear those pieces which draw attention like red shoes, diamond or rhinestone stud earrings, etc. In some religions and cultures, women also wear hats to funeral services.
Funeral Outfit Women
Here are some modern and traditional funeral outfit ideas for women for this year:
- Knee-length skirt or dress
- Skirt suit
- Smart plain blouse
- Pantsuit
- Cardigan or blazer
- Sweater
- Smart shoes
- Tops with sleeves
- Dark or muted colored clothing
Women Funeral Attire Tips
Here are some helpful tips that you should keep in mind while dressing for a funeral or memorial service:
- Don’t wear anything too immodest or revealing.
- Your shoulders should be covered.
- Skirts/dresses should reach the knees.
- Don’t wear sundresses.
- Avoid low-cut tops, exposed midriffs, high stilettos, and form-fitting clothing.
- Athleticwear, denim, shorts are also inappropriate.
- Don’t wear tennis shoes or flip-flops.
What to Wear To a Funeral for Men
Traditional funeral outfits for men simply consist of black suits with a white shirt. Nowadays, like black dresses for women, black suits are also not compulsory for men. Depending on the type of funeral you visit or attend, this traditional code can be skipped.
You can wear muted and dark colors such as dark grey, blues, and browns. Pair your suit with a freshly ironed button-down shirt, tie, and smart shoes. If you don’t own a suit, you can wear a nicely ironed pair of pants or chinos. Make sure you wear something in which you feel comfortable throughout the day.
It is best to avoid wearing jeans, shorts, non-collared or short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts. Also, don’t wear baseball caps, athletic shoes or sneakers, trainers, flip flops or sandals, or tennis shoes to a funeral or memorial service.
Funeral Outfit Men
Here are some modern and traditional funeral outfit ideas for men:
- Smart black or dark suit
- White long-sleeved shirt with a collar
- Plain black tie
- Polo shirt, slacks, belt
- Vest and blazer
- a polo or golf shirt
- Slacks and a sweater
- Polished black shoes
- Boots, loafers, or dress shoes
Men Funeral Attire Tips
Here are some helpful tips that you should keep in mind while dressing for a funeral or memorial service:
- Wear Long-sleeved shirts, or something with a collar
- Use belt with a tucked-in shirt
- Wear dress shoes or loafers
- Don’t wear sneakers, athletic shoes, flip flops
- Try to avoid wearing jeans
- Avoid fragrant colognes and aftershaves.
What to Wear To a Funeral for Teens & Children
Funeral outfits for children should be simple, comfortable, and nice. Kids and teenagers should dress similarly to their parents when attending a funeral. Their dresses should be subtle and smart. You can pick skirts or pants in darker shades for young girls and for boys go with a shirt and pants.
You can dress them similar to going to a formal event, wedding, or religious service. These outfits will likely work at a funeral service. Children can also wear “Church” type, age-appropriate styles. Stick to solid colors and avoid any big prints or unusual patterns. Also, make sure they’re comfortable to wear so that they’ll remain relaxed and respectful during the service.
Religious Funeral Dress Code
Every culture and religion has its own rules and guidelines for wearing outfits to a funeral. If you’re attending a religious funeral service, you should be aware of the customs followed by that particular culture.
Here is the summary of the various cultures and attires related to the rituals and faiths:
Buddhist Funerals
Family members and close relatives of the deceased traditionally wear white or cover themselves with a white cloth. In contrast, the other mourners wear simple black or dark clothing.
Christian Funerals
For a Christian funeral, dark and modest clothing will be appropriate. You can pick dresses and suits in navy blue, black or grey. Make sure that the dress is conservative and shoulders and knees should be covered.
Hindu Funerals
Unlike Christian and other religions, white is the color of mourning. White color is worn at a Hindu funeral as it represents peace and reflects respect to the dead. However, it is not compulsory; you can also wear soft pastel shades. Women can wear jewelry but make sure it’s not too flashy or extravagant. You can wear open-toe shoes at Hindu funerals.
Muslim Funerals
In Muslim funerals and memorial services, all attendees are required to dress in black or dark colors. Both men and women should dress in a way that covers the entire body including, ankles, arms, and neck.
You can wear modest clothes, but they shouldn’t be tight or see-through as they are considered disrespectful. Women are also required to cover their heads with a headscarf when attending a Muslim funeral.
Sikh Funerals
In Western culture, black, grey, and navy is the color of mourning. On the other hand, white color is more common for funerals in Asian culture. For a Sikh memorial service, wear smart clothes in subtle and white colors. Avoid any clothes in bright colors and patterns with no skin showing. Sikhs also always cover their heads at funerals.
Don’t Think Much
What to wear to a funeral visitation is something that you should not worry about much. Don’t feel that you’ve to spend money and you’ve to buy a new dress or suit to attend a memorial or funeral service. You can either go to a thrift shop or borrow clothes from your friend.
Don’t stress about it too much. Yes, because all that really matters is that you are making an effort to be there to be a part of the day and pay your respects. Your clothes should be comfortable and respectful. If you’re attending any religious funeral, remember to dress according to their dress codes.
So, this is all about funeral attire. Now you know what you wear to a funeral. I hope this blog has helped you to get the answer to your question: what to wear to a funeral? If you find this guide informative and helpful, do share it with your loved ones and friends so that they’ll know what to wear or what not to wear at a funeral or memorial service.
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