What do I wear to a funeral?

Indie_Kid

I should point out that I'm a female; but am not that girly. I have a pair of shoes and trosuers I can wear; but don't have a top. Given how cold it is, I may need a jacket too. I do have a black zip through jacket; but it has a white zip down it. Is that ok to wear?

SHEILA54

Hi
I usually wear trousers, top and coat. I do have a long back coat but have noticed that people just dress formally but not necessarily in black.

runforlife

Being there is the most important thing. Dress according to the particular funeral. Many years ago a friend who died early with a brain tumour arrived in a white Ford Estate and his family wore bright, flowery clothes to celebrate his life.
A nice accessory for a lady in your position maybe a scarf. Colour that to the mood of the funeral but really don't worry about a white zip.
Dress smartly with polished shoes (seriously! the number of people that don't polish their shoes at such events…have a look whilst you have your head down)
All the best.

AnnieO1234

A little white isn't a problem, most of the men will be dressed in black suits with white shirts.

Smart trousers with a jacket or even cardigan is fine. To be honest it's more about being there. If you're really really concerned about looking "right" go to Primark and you'll get the stuff you need quite cheaply. X

egoode

I usually wear something semi-formal and don't worry if it's not all black it's quite common these days for people to wear colours to funerals. As others said the important thing is being there for the family.

Lovelyjoolz

runforlife wrote: »

Dress according to the particular funeral.
All the best.

This. And I would also say that it depends on your relationship and how close you were to the deceased.

TO a colleagues funeral a while ago I wore all black, black trousers, black jacket, black top. And I would probably stick to this for someone I wasn't that close to.

However, at my OH's Dad's funeral last year I wore a dress that he always said he liked seeing me in. It's a black and white dress, but there is a LOT of white on it.

Frankly though, if it had been hot pink with yellow spots I would have still worn it and stuff what anyone else thinks. I loved him dearly and my choice of clothing was no one's business.

His daughter also wore non-traditional clothes - a dress more brightly patterned than mine and even if anyone thought it was disrespectful they didn't have the courage to mention it :rotfl:

heartbreak_star

Yup, agree with the above. I never wear dresses, but wore a dress to Nan's funeral as she loved me in dresses. To Dad's funeral I wore his Merchant Navy dress suit that he married my Mum in - she thoroughly approved.

If you're really not sure - go with smart clothing. The jacket with the white zip sounds fine.

I am sorry for your loss and hope the day goes smoothly.

HBS x

busiscoming2

I generally wear black trousers and shoes with a black top if I am not that close. Quite often these days there are requests to wear a colour or pattern the deceased liked.

I wouldn't worry about the white zip on your jacket. The coat I usually wear is a sort of tweedy mix with lots of muted colours in it. I don't own a black one.

lostinrates

Agree with all the above. Of all the events I think a funeral is the one wear what you wear matters least. I'd comfortably wear grey or navy or any 'demure' colour.

What I would wear is something clean, well ironed and presented and respectable. If its to be somewhere religious then obviously observe any custom regarding head covering and no flashing flesh.

A white zipper isn't a problem IMO.


I'm very sorry for your loss.

Indie_Kid

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

However, at my OH's Dad's funeral last year I wore a dress that he always said he liked seeing me in. It's a black and white dress, but there is a LOT of white on it.

Frankly though, if it had been hot pink with yellow spots I would have still worn it and stuff what anyone else thinks. I loved him dearly and my choice of clothing was no one's business.

His daughter also wore non-traditional clothes - a dress more brightly patterned than mine and even if anyone thought it was disrespectful they didn't have the courage to mention it :rotfl:

When I read this post, I always remember an episode of Married with Children. They went to a funeral and Kelly was wearing some awful brightly coloured dress.:rotfl: Everyone else was wearing black.

Thanks guys.

belfastgirl23

My main concern is that a jacket might not be enough at the minute. You're often hanging around in a cold church and then potentially a baltic graveyard. I'd say see if you can find any kind of soberly coloured coat. Even camel etc would do at a pinch. And wear a warm hat.