What to Wear to a Funeral

Attending a funeral and not sure what to wear? A common misconception about attending a funeral is that mourners must wear black. While it’s a good idea to avoid bright colors and overly casual dress, you don’t necessarily have to wear all black. So, what is proper funeral attire?

If you are attending a funeral, it’s best to dress conservatively and avoid clothing that is too casual. You are there to show respect to the deceased and the family, so choose something dressier than your day-to-day clothes. When choosing an outfit, try to avoid bright and flashy patterns or prints on any attire and stick to a solid. Black is classic, but not the only option. Greys, dark blues and reds are all suitable. If you have trouble deciding what to wear, imagine what you would wear to a church service or a job interview.

As for shoes, it’s a good idea to forgo flip-flops and athletic wear and stick with something more formal. Also, keep in mind that you want to choose something comfortable. Often times there is a lot of standing and walking at the visitation or wake, and you may have to walk a short distance from the service to the burial site.

Here are some detailed guidelines to help:

Women
A dress with a sweater, a suit with a jacket, or a blouse with a skirt or slacks are classic funeral attire for women. Dresses and skirts should ideally cover the knees and it’s best to avoid anything overly revealing. Minimal or simple jewelry for accessorizing is acceptable. Women’s flats, dress sandals, or a small-heeled shoe or boot are ideal.

Men
Classic funeral attire for men includes a full suit or dress slacks with a button-down dress shirt. Ties and sport coats may be optional depending on the family and formality of the service. If the service is more casual, a polo shirt with slacks is acceptable. Men’s dress shoes or loafers are ideal footwear.

Children
Children attending the services should be dressed appropriately as well. A dress or a skirt with a blouse would be acceptable for young girls. Minimal or simple jewelry for accessorizing is acceptable as well. Young boys might wear dress slacks and a dress shirt similar to the men. For shoes, choose comfortable flats or sandals for girls and dress shoes for boys.

As a final tip, when deciding on what to wear for this occasion, you should pay attention to the weather. There is always the possibility of inclement weather, so it’s best to be prepared by bringing a jacket or an umbrella if the service involves being outdoors.

If you’re looking for more advice on funeral etiquette, be sure to read what to say to the family and if it’s appropriate to give a gift to the family.

Also, you can visit our planning center for more funeral and memorial resources.