The Ultimate Guide To What Women Can Wear To A Funeral

Introduction

Upon hearing about the news of a loved one’s death, it may leave you speechless. Furthermore, you may agonize over what to wear to the funeral if you haven’t attended many funerals or have never been to one. Remember, a funeral is a time to mourn. Therefore, your fashion choices for this occasion should not stand out but rather blend in with the other mourners. Think minimal and conservative to avoid a fashion faux pas. A helpful guideline to follow when deciding what to wear to a funeral is to choose something acceptable for a job interview, a business meeting, or a church service.

You might feel pressured to shop around for something to wear to a funeral, but amid grief, shopping may be the last thing you have on your mind. So first, look within your closet before you splurge on anything new because you might already have something you can quickly pull together in your wardrobe.

What kind of clothing can women wear to a funeral?

Whether it’s a pantsuit or mix-and-match separates, women have various options regarding funeral attire.

1. Skirts: If you’re leaning towards wearing a skirt, choose one with a hemline that falls at the knee or longer. Pencil, a-line, flared, and maxi skirts are all suitable choices.
2. Dresses: If you decide to wear a dress, choose a style with sleeves, a modest neckline, and a hemline that falls at the knee or longer. If a sleeveless dress is your only option, wear it with a lightweight cardigan or a blazer to cover your shoulders.
3. Blazers: Nothing pulls a look together quite like a blazer. If you’re considering sleeveless dresses and tops as part of your outfit, layer a blazer over these silhouettes to make them appropriate to wear to a funeral.
4. Dress Pants: If your go-to is pants, you can wear full-length or ankle-grazing dress pants to a funeral. Opt for body-skimming or straight-leg styles in fabrications like wool and polyester or mixed blends like cotton and elastane.
5. Dressy Tops: Dressy tops with conservative necklines and short or long sleeves are a safe bet. Bow blouses, wrap-front blouses, and button-down dress shirts in muted colors and understated prints are all suitable to wear to a funeral.
6. Dress Shoes: Funerals involve a lot of standing and walking during venue changes. Choose comfortable dressy flats, low, or mid-size pumps with simple styling that don’t make disruptive sounds when walking.
7. Skirt Suit: A skirt suit consists of a skirt and a jacket. Skirt suits eliminate the guesswork when deciding how to coordinate separates. Some skirt suits are available with a blouse or shell underneath the jacket.
8. Pantsuit: Similar to a skirt suit, a pant suit is also a smart, coordinated duo. A pantsuit consists of a matching pair of pants and a jacket. A classic pantsuit is a popular option because this set is already styled and ready to be worn together.
9. Sweaters: You can easily pair a turtleneck sweater or a classic cable knit sweater with skirts and dress pants in the fall and winter. In spring and summer, a lightweight cardigan can be a versatile layering option over sleeveless looks.
10. Accessories: Style yourself with minimal accessories that don’t attract the spotlight. Jewelry such as a single strand of pearls, a tennis bracelet, a classic watch, a pair of stud earrings, a small brooch, or a dainty ring accentuates your look without drawing attention. If the deceased gifted you with a sentimental piece of jewelry, it would be appropriate to wear it no matter the style. In addition, stick to basic versions if you’re considering wearing accessories like a fedora, a purse, a silk scarf, or sunglasses.

What colors are acceptable to wear to a funeral?

Traditionally, wearing black formal attire is the norm in Western culture, but you are not limited to wearing only black. Breaking up a head-to-toe black outfit with another color is also acceptable. Dark, subdued colors like navy, maroon, brown, green, and gray are all suitable to wear to a funeral.

Special Considerations

Below are some things to consider when deciding what to wear to a funeral.

1. Seasonal: The current season can influence what you decide to wear. For example, lighter fabrications like cotton and linen are well suited for spring and summer, while you can wear heavier fabrications like wool in fall or winter.
2. Grooming: Complete your look with a simple hairstyle, minimal makeup, neat nails, and, if desired, lightly spritz on a pleasant fragrance.
3. Venue: The location of the funeral may influence the way you dress. Will the funeral be a casual gathering on a beach or a formal gathering at a place of worship? It’s always a good idea to double-check the location of the memorial service so that you can narrow down what to wear.
4. Religious and Cultural: Some religions may require a particular type of funeral attire, while some cultures may wear a unique mourning color. You always want to be respectful of any religious or cultural requirements. Contact the funeral director or the deceased’s family for guidance if unsure.
5. Family Requests: Certain aspects of funerals have become very personalized. For instance, the deceased may have specified a preference within a funeral plan, or the deceased’s family may wish mourners to arrive in a unique dress code for the funeral. So, if the family requests mourners to wear a specific color or something symbolic to honor their loved one, it would be appropriate even if it strays from tradition. Be sure to respect any wishes of the deceased’s family.