1. Casual Clothing
Graphic tees, jeans, tank tops, overalls, rompers, sleeveless dresses, and shorts are all too casual for a funeral. Save these looks for informal occasions.
Wear this instead: Suits, blazers, dresses with sleeves, button-down dress shirts, and dress pants in neutral colors are respectful options.
2. Mini-Skirts
Mini skirts are fashionable but not suitable for a funeral. If you’re unsure if your skirt length is appropriate, a good test is if you sit down and find that your skirt reveals too much or if you tug the hemline often to keep it down, skip it. Anything that requires constant adjustment is likely too short and will be awkward and uncomfortable.
Wear this instead: Opt for a more conservative hemline that stops about one or two inches below the knee.
3. Oversized Hats
When you wear an oversized hat, you risk blocking someone’s view of the service and drawing attention to yourself. So save the floppy and large hats for a sunny day at the beach.
Wear this instead: If you want to wear a hat, choose a classic hat like a fedora or a hat with a wide brim.
4. Strong Fragrance
Since you’ll be in close contact with people, a strong perfume, cologne, or body lotion is not a good idea to wear to a funeral. In addition, some people have an aversion to fragrance because they are sensitive to certain scents, while others are allergic to perfume.
Wear this instead: If you wear fragrance, apply it conservatively. Lightly spritz or dab on a light perfume or cologne. If you need clarification on whether your scent is overpowering, get a second opinion or skip it for the day. If you wear any lotion, opt for a fragrance-free version.
5. Dramatic Beauty
Dramatic make-up, elaborate hairstyles, and bold nails are suitable for a joyous celebration or a night out but not for a somber occasion like a funeral.
Wear this instead: Embrace a natural look with minimal make-up in neutral colors. Wear waterproof and smudge-proof versions of your usual favorites. When it comes to hair and nails, natural and neat are always the best.
6. Athleisure and Athletic Looks
Sweatshirts, sweatpants, loungewear, athletic jerseys, gym clothes, leggings, and sports caps, are all informal and laid-back looks. A good guideline is that if you wouldn’t wear it to a job interview, you shouldn’t wear it to a funeral.
Wear this instead: Choose a more traditional and conservative look. Blazers, dress pants, dresses with sleeves, and suits are all appropriate for a funeral.
7. Flashy Jewelry
Statement jewelry is perfect for adding flair and drawing attention to your fashion-forward look, but it’s not suitable to wear to a funeral. Also, the sound of some types of jewelry that moves with you, such as a wrist full of bangles, layers of necklaces, ring stacks, charm bracelets, and necklaces with multiple pendants, can be noisy.
Wear this instead: Since a funeral is not the place to make a statement with your jewelry, leave your flashy bling in the jewelry box. Instead, style yourself with simple, pared-down jewelry like stud earrings, a tennis bracelet, a small brooch, a classic strand of pearls, or a dainty necklace.
8. Casual Footwear
Funerals involve a lot of walking, standing, and the possibility of changing venues. So naturally, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes, but footwear such as sneakers, flip-flops, sandals, and slip-on shoes are too casual, while thin heels like stilettos are not practical.
Wear this instead: Dress flats, loafers, and low or mid-sized heels are all appropriate to wear to a funeral. Your feet will thank you.
9. Bright Colors
Bright colors such as yellows, pinks, reds, and oranges tend to catch the eye. They are not ideal to wear to a funeral because they are distracting.
Wear this instead: Typically, black is the go-to safe color to wear to a funeral. However, ivory, dark brown, dark navy, dark green, and dark gray are good color choices suitable to wear to a funeral.
10. Wild Prints
Animal prints, tie-dye, mesmerizing geometric patterns, graffiti prints, words, and larger-than-life prints are too attention-grabbing to wear to a funeral.
Wear this instead: If you choose to wear a print, wear a small scale print such as a ditsy floral or paisley, small polka dots, or thin stripes.
11. Revealing Clothing
Plunging necklines, tight clothing, crop tops, and sheer looks are all too revealing to wear to a funeral. Save those looks for a different occasion.
Wear this instead: Opt for conservative, modest, loose, or body-skimming silhouettes. For example, if you wear a sleeveless sheath dress or a sleeveless top, layer a cardigan or a blazer over it.
12. Flashy Embellishments
Shiny sequins, sparkling glitter, dazzling rhinestones, and metallic beads are pretty embellishments that add interest to everything they adorn. But, unfortunately, they’re distracting and out of place at a funeral.
Wear this instead: Skip outfits that are embellished and accent your look with a few pieces of simple yet flattering jewelry.
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the above. You can disregard traditional funeral etiquette in some instances below.
Family requests
The deceased’s family may ask those attending the funeral to wear something specific to honor their loved one. For example, they might request that you wear a particular color, an awareness ribbon, a graphic print, a feather, a unique accessory, or other attire to honor your loved one. In this case, following the family’s wishes is always best.
Special gifts from the deceased
If you own something the deceased gave you, such as jewelry, it would be appropriate to wear it to a funeral.
Cultural and religious observations
Most countries recognize black as a mourning color. But, interestingly, it is not universal. In some countries, mourners wear bright colors to a funeral. For example, red and white are worn at funerals in South Africa. Also, there may be some religious requirements regarding mourning colors. For example, mourners wear white to Hindu and Buddhist funerals.
Furthermore, some religions require special funeral attire. In any case, you want to respect the deceased’s culture, customs, and religion. So, if you need guidance, don’t be afraid to research or ask the deceased’s family.
Military funerals
When attending a military funeral, active-duty service members must wear their dress uniform. In contrast, retired military service members may wear their dress uniform or a suit and tie.
Seasonal Considerations
Depending on the season and the location of the funeral, you might want to consider a few things. For example, if it’s spring or summer and the funeral is outdoors, you might want to bring a pair of simple black sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun or a black umbrella in case of rain. In addition, you can wear a neutral coat in fall and winter to stay warm between venue changes.
