Unless there are family wishes to the contrary, no guidelines on the funeral notice or invitation, for instance, then you might ask a family member about their wishes. They would probably appreciate the gesture as a sign of respect for both them and the deceased.
Arriving in inappropriate dress can result in raised eyebrows, even cause offence, however unwittingly.
If there are no instructions from the family, then it’s advisable to follow traditional lines of attire.
Traditional attire for a funeral
- Black suit
- White shirt
- Slim black tie
- Black (polished) shoes.
It’s a classic, timeless look that looks good and shows respect. You cannot go wrong. A navy or dark grey suit is also perfectly acceptable.
If you wear a black shirt, then a dark red, black or dark blue tie is better than a white tie. With a black shirt, you might even go tie-less.
Consider popping a clean white handkerchief into a pocket, just in case it's needed to dry the tears of someone next to you.
Hat and coat
You might want to wear a hat. A fedora would look stylish but if you’re unused to wearing a hat then do have a proper fitting. Looking in a mirror wearing a casually angled ‘titfer’, we all think we look like Frank Sinatra. The harsh truth is, we don’t.
Think about rainwear. If the weather is going to be unfavourable, consider what you’ll be wearing outside. The most stylish black suit ensemble can look adrift accompanied by a NorthFace jacket. Take a raincoat or overcoat instead, and a black umbrella.
For more information about bereavement, visit our bereavement section for helpful guides and articles
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