As a funeral director, I’ve watched people dress for funerals in all kinds of ways. Some are tasteful and appropriate, while others are less so. If you’re uncertain about what to wear to a funeral, here’s how you can make sure your outfit is respectful.
Avoid wearing patterns or colors that are distracting
You may not think that your clothing has anything to do with how you’re feeling, but it can actually help you feel better. That’s why it’s important to dress for the funeral in a way that is appropriate and respectful of both your feelings and those of others who are grieving.
You should avoid wearing patterns or colors that are distracting from the solemnity of the occasion. For example, dark-colored clothing is helpful because it represents grief without being too flashy or attention getting; pastels are also good choices because they’re soft and calming without being too dark (black). You should also avoid reds, blues, yellows and whites because these colors can be distracting in an environment full of sadness. White is especially inappropriate as white gowns have traditionally been worn by brides at weddings not women at funerals!
Remove your eyeglasses if possible
- Remove your eyeglasses if you can. If you can’t, wear a hat or head scarf to cover up the frames of your glasses (a favorite of mine).
- Choose a dark frame for sunglasses and consider wearing them during the service if necessary.
Stick with a conservative length for your skirt or dress
Longer skirts and dresses are more appropriate for a funeral than shorter ones, though the length should depend on your own comfort level. If you’re not sure what’s acceptable, ask the funeral home director or other people involved with the service. Avoid wearing a short skirt or dress to a funeral unless it’s an occasion such as a wedding where that type of attire may be expected. Also avoid mini skirts and dresses, as well as see-through clothes that show skin underneath them because they’re too revealing for this type of event.
Wear a jacket or cardigan that matches the rest of your outfit
Wear a jacket or cardigan that matches the rest of your outfit. Matching your jacket or cardigan with your dress is important, but it’s also important that you pay attention to its other features. The most basic thing to do is make sure it has the same color as the dress; however, there are other things to consider as well:
- The length should be the same throughout (for example, if you use a pencil skirt for business casual attire during the day and then go out after work in a cute little black cocktail dress and heels, don’t bring along an enormous white sweater).
- The material should match no thick wool for thin silk dresses!
- If possible (and if there isn’t anything else preventing it), try using similar styles. So, if someone was wearing something like this to their grandfather’s funeral last week.
Dress flats instead of high heels
While you may think that wearing heels will make you look like a more professional, responsible person, remember that this is a funeral. You want to project sympathy and compassion, not superiority. Wear flats instead of high heels you’ll be much more comfortable and can still maintain a professional appearance. If you’re worried about looking unprofessional or inappropriate on the day of the funeral because everyone else will be in dresses and suits/dresses, just wear something simple like a pair of slacks with the flats (make sure they’re not wrinkled).
Wear pantyhose if you’re wearing a skirt or dress
A good rule of thumb when deciding what to wear attending a funeral is that if you’re wearing a skirt or dress, it’s best to include pantyhose. Even if you don’t have particularly sensitive skin, the hosiery can help you feel more comfortable in your outfit and avoid embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions.
When in doubt, simple, quiet, dark is the way to go.
- For example: black is a good choice for women.
- Avoid bright colors like yellow or orange. These can be distracting from what you’re trying to say and make people focus on the wrong thing (your outfit) rather than what’s important (whether you’re telling stories about your loved one).
- Also avoid loud patterns; they draw attention to themselves instead of bringing everyone together like a simple solid color would do. The same goes for loud jewelry—save those earrings and necklaces for another day when they wouldn’t take away from such an important event as this funeral service!
The same goes for hats and sunglasses; these accessories will keep others from looking at your face or eyes because everything else will seem so much brighter than it should be during such an emotional time like this! And finally high heels are another thing that shouldn’t be worn unless absolutely necessary (for instance when there’s nothing else available).
Conclusion
All of these tips are just common sense, but we know that many people don’t think about them before attending a funeral. We hope that this article will help you to prepare for such an important event in your life and help you to look the best possible on such a somber occasion. We hope this article has helped you understand what to wear to a funeral and how to dress appropriately for the occasion.