It can be a difficult time for friends and family when someone close to them dies. And as you’ve probably experienced, it’s sometimes also harder to know what to wear to the funeral! Funeral etiquette is something that’s often overlooked, but it’s actually pretty easy to follow. We’re answering the question what to wear to a funeral in four easy steps:
Step 1: How formal is the funeral?
The first step to getting dressed for a funeral is determining how formal or casual it will be. There are different levels of formality, and each one has a different dress code.
For instance, for you have the official funeral services. This type of service includes both the visitation and the funeral ceremony. In some cases, there may also be a graveside service. This follows the funeral ceremony and it’s for those who want to pay their respects before burial takes place. For these types of services, you’ll want to wear formal attire that’s appropriate for going out into public in. Or at least as close to that as you can get without looking like you’re attending an event. You don’t necessarily have to wear black — though if your favorite color happens to be black then that’s fine too!
If you’re worried about finding something nice enough but not too fancy, pick up something nice from your local thrift store. You can get like a blouse for $3 which would look great with any pair of pants or skirt. And all that while still being appropriate enough for most occasions such as weddings or other formal events where dressing up might come into play later on down the line!
Tip: Find out which venue the services will take place at. That could be a good indication of how formal the services will be.
Step 2: What are the family and friends wearing?
Another good idea is to consider the family and friends of the deceased.
For example, consider what they’re wearing. You can ask someone close to you or Google it! It’s a great idea to glance over what people are wearing before you leave your house. This way, you know what to wear at a funeral yourself. Moreover, this will help prevent any awkwardness or confusion about what is appropriate for the occasion.
Also, think about whether or not it’s going to be hot outside on this day. Or if there will be shade available (if there isn’t any shade, then maybe bring sunscreen!). If we wear too much clothing, we’ll get hot; but if we wear too little clothing, then we may get a sunburn! Make sure that you aren’t overdoing either one. After all it’s important that no one sees anyone sweating profusely or getting burnt by UV rays.
During an important moment like this one everyone needs some peace and quiet time. Especially family members who may have lost someone close recently. So let’s just keep things nice neat and an respectful funeral outfit could help.
Step 3: Do you know the deceased person?
Moving on, there could be a big difference on your funeral outfit based on your closeness t the deceased. If you know the deceased person, you can wear one of your best suit or a dress. People may look at you but more importantly, it might console you a bit knowing you’re honoring your loved one. It’s also significant that you wear something that you feel comfortable in. After all, funerals can last a long time and they take a huge emotional toll on people.
If you don’t know the deceased person, you may be invited because you know the family. For example, if they are distant cousins. In that case you could wear a simple suit or a dress. You’re there to support the close relatives of the deceased so your outfit is less important.
Step 4: What is the weather going to be like?
A good rule of thumb is to wear a dark suit if the weather is going to be a bit chilly. If it’s cold, you may even want to bring a scarf or wrap with you so that you can dress up your look when needed.
On the contrary, if it’s going to be hot out, consider wearing lighter colors instead. Some people would even just go for jeans and a t-shirt (if the funeral is casual enough).
The difference between a funeral and a celebration of life
It’s useful perhaps if e make one final distinction here regarding funeral outfits.
The difference between a funeral and a celebration of life is that at a funeral, you’re less likely to find yourself in jeans. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see many more suits than shirts. This is because when someone dies, people are paying their respects to the person who has passed away. At the same time they are honoring their memory by dressing up for them in black or dark neutral colors.
On the other hand, celebrations of life typically have much more casual dress codes. Here it’s not peculiar to see some jeans, shirts and casual outfits! The idea behind this is that we’re celebrating the life of our loved one who has passed away rather than mourning their death; therefore we should be comfortable and having fun with those who were close with our loved one during their life time!
What to wear to a funeral: Takeaway
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when figuring out what to wear. Every funeral is different, as are the people who attend them. The most important thing to remember is that this is not about you; it’s about honoring the life of someone who has passed away. A funeral service should be an emotional experience for all involved, so don’t risk distracting from that by wearing something inappropriate or uncomfortable (or both).
Final Thoughts
What to wear to a funeral can be more complicated than you think. And the last thing you will want to deal with is the stress of choosing an outfit. Be respectful and comfortable and you’ll do fine! The most important thing to remember is that you should always respect the wishes of the deceased’s family, and what they believe is appropriate attire for a funeral. You’ll never be able to please everyone, so don’t worry too much about what other people might think!
With Myend’s funeral plan you can choose the kind of atmosphere and dress code of your funeral. Curious to check that out for yourself? Sign up today for a free account!
