What to wear to a Funeral

If you have never attended a funeral, deciding what to wear can be difficult. No matter what you choose to wear, it is always important to respect the wishes of the deceased and their loved ones. Traditionally, in Western cultures, formal black clothing is considered to be the most popular funeral attire, however, with the increasing popularity of less traditional services, more informal outfits may be better suited to the occasion. It is always best to check what the dress code for the funeral is with the family hosting the service beforehand so that you turn up appropriately dressed.

Read on as we discuss the best attire to wear to a funeral and what the general etiquette is when it comes to funeral-appropriate clothing.

What should I wear to a funeral as a guest?

Traditionally, funeral etiquette within most Western cultures suggests that formal black clothing that is conservative and respectful is best to wear to a funeral. However, other dark colours such as navy and grey can also be worn depending on the wishes of the family. In some other cultures and religions, mourners may be expected to wear different colours.

The style of clothing you should wear to a funeral can vary depending on the dress code outlined by the family. For a traditional funeral, men are expected to wear a formal dark suit and women should wear a smart black dress or skirt. However, for less formal funerals, men may wear a jumper or button-down shirt with smart trousers in any dark colours such as navy, grey and brown and women may also wear less formal dresses and jackets in subtle patterns or muted tones.

What should women wear to a funeral?

For a traditional Western funeral the following clothing is deemed the most appropriate for women to wear:

• A knee-length skirt or dress that is not too revealing, is usually worn with a pair of black tights.
• A pair of smart trousers in a dark colour. Avoid jeans, leggings or any other casual trousers.
• A plain blouse or top in a dark colour. This top should be conservative and plain. 
• A cardigan, jumper or blazer. If the funeral takes place in winter, having an extra layer is a good idea, but make sure the knitwear or jacket you choose is plain and in a dark colour.
• A pair of smart shoes. Flat shoes or sensible heels are the most popular choice. 

What should men wear to a funeral?

The most appropriate clothing men should wear to a traditional funeral are:

• A smart black or dark suit, worn with a white shirt and a black tie.
• Smart trousers and jumper. If you don’t own a traditional suit, a pair of smart trousers with a shirt and jumper may also be acceptable. 
• Polished smart dress shoes. A pair of black brogues or oxfords are the usual preferred choice, but any smart shoes are acceptable.

Is there anything you shouldn’t wear to a funeral? 

Depending on the level of formality of the funeral, clothing that you should avoid wearing will vary. For a traditional service with a formal dress code, you should avoid wearing any brightly coloured or patterned clothing or outfits that show too much skin. This includes clothing such as jeans, shorts, tank tops, short skirts, cropped tops or inappropriate dresses. You should also stay away from wearing trainers, sandals or any other athletic shoes.  

However, in some cases, the dress code may specifically stipulate that you should wear a certain colour or stick to a particular theme that differs from the traditional funeral dress code. In this case, it would be less appropriate to wear formal black clothing as this would go against the wishes of the loved one’s family.

Do you have to wear black to a funeral?

Although black is the most common and traditional colour to wear to a funeral, it is not always necessary. In some instances, the family hosting the funeral may set a specific dress code based on what the deceased has outlined in their wishes for their funeral before they passed. Whether this follows a specific theme or just a general wish for there to be more colour in their celebration of life service, it’s important to be respectful of the deceased’s wishes. 

It’s important to remember that not all cultures consider black to be the correct funeral attire, as clothing expectations will vary depending on the religion and country in which the funeral is being held. 

Black is considered inappropriate to wear at a Hindu or Sikh funeral, instead, mourners are expected to wear white. Some other popular colours that are worn to funerals across the world include:

• Red – for a Ghanaian funeral, it’s a traditional custom for members of the community to wear black and white when mourning, while the immediate family will wear red and black.
• Purple – in Thailand, purple is said to represent sorrow and is often worn during the mourning period. Purple is also worn to funerals in Brazil alongside black.
• Bright colours – many African, Caribbean and West Indies funerals will opt for more vibrant colours as well as their cultural traditional dress. Many humanist and non-religious funerals across the world will also choose to wear bright colours to a funeral as a way to reinforce the celebration of life.

With you every step of the way at Heart of England Co-op Funerals

If you require any advice surrounding arranging a funeral or what to do next after losing a loved one, our team of funeral directors are here to support you. Available 24/7 online and over the phone, get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.