Service uniforms or dress uniforms are acceptable funeral wear, while the Battle Dress Uniform is not appropriate for the occasion. In most cases, the uniform should include all decorations, medals, badges, ribbons and insignia, although active personnel should defer to the commanding officer's directive.
Military Funeral Etiquette: What To Wear
It is proper etiquette for military members to wear their Class-A uniform – also known as their Dress Uniform – so civilian attendees should wear their equivalent, Brown's Memorial Funeral Home writes.
Wear the uniform if you are not on duty and not an officer only when permitted by Presidential regulations. Check with your branch of the armed forces if in doubt. For example, the presence of retired military personnel may be requested at a government sponsored parade or function.
Yes. Dress Blue Bravos (ribbons and badges) are authorized without permission. Dress Blue Alphas (medals and ribbons) need command authorization. Generally, they are reserved for ceremonies, which a funeral technically is.
Officers who have been granted a military title on retirement, or other ranks who have been granted permission by Army Headquarters Directorate of Personnel Policy – Army (DPP-A) to wear uniform after discharge, may wear at military ceremonies or military entertainments uniform appropriate to the rank in which they ...
The simple answer is, generally, no. While there is no general offence of impersonating a member of the Armed Forces, and many actors do so in theatre and films.
Unless qualified under another provision of this regulation, or under the provisions of section 772, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 772), former members of the Army may wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable ...
Resist wearing bright colors or wild prints. Avoid dressing in casual clothing, such as athletic wear, tank tops, or shorts. Skip the flip-flops, tennis shoes, sneakers, or boat shoes. Remove the neon necktie, purse, or accessory.
Low-cut blouses or dresses
Similar to mini-skirts, you shouldn't wear any low-cut blouses or dresses. Because the funeral likely takes place in a place of worship, it's important to dress for this service. Along with low-cut shirts, make sure not to wear anything with thin spaghetti straps.
Women should avoid wearing anything too revealing or flashy, and men should make sure their clothing is clean and wrinkle-free.
Military uniforms will not be worn in public or in the public areas of hotels or commercial establishments unless on official business or specifically authorized by COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT, U.S. Embassy, or other CENTCOM designated authority.
In the United States Army there are chapels with chaplains for the different faiths. Services are provided on base for soldiers to attend. Off base, the norm is that they dress in civilian attire, however, soldiers coming home to visit can go to worship services in their dress uniforms.
While attending a course of military instruction conducted by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force, a civilian may wear the uniform prescribed by that armed force if the wear of such uniform is specifically authorized under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
Upon the family's request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every eligible Veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of "Taps." The law defines a military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military ...
Just like a suit, not everyone owns a dress shirt and tie, but this shouldn't stop you from attending a funeral. A nice sweater and dress pants can be funeral appropriate, weather permitting. Keep both pieces of clothing dark, and any pattern on your sweater should be very low key.
Because a funeral is often a somber occasion, it's best to choose clothes that reflect that. Your clothing does not have to be all black. It's common for funeral attendees to wear navy blue, dark grey, violet, and many other colors.
In many organizations and service professions, it is customary to wear your uniform to the funeral of a member or the loved one of a member. Wearing a uniform to a funeral shows comradery and support for your fellow member, or for their loved one.
It's tradition to wear a white shirt at a funeral, but a plain, unpatterned buttoned shirt in a muted colour is okay. Shoes should be dark, clean and polished. Dresses, skirts and trouser suits can be all be worn to a funeral – the focus is on conservatism.
Women can choose from conservative and polished skirts, dresses, blouses, sweaters, and dresses in dark hues. In hot or humid climates, sleeveless dresses are perfectly okay, though you may want to bring a cardigan to ensure you're dressed appropriately if you're visiting a church, temple, or synagogue.
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
Funeral Attire Colors
In color psychology, black often symbolizes death or mourning. Black is still a safe choice for funerals.
You Don't Have To Wear Black
However, colors like dark grey, dark blue, darker green, white, and beige can be appropriate. If you don't own any black clothing, you may always opt for a subtle hue that is appropriate for formal settings. In addition, stay away from anything with distracting patterns or prints.
Appearance. Honorably discharged military veterans may wear their uniforms. Veterans opting to wear the uniform will comply with the appropriate service uniform regulation and Department of Defense Instruction 1334.1, “Wearing of the Uniform.”
The law reads that “no person except a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be” may wear the uniforms of these military branches, nor any uniform that deceptively seeks to replicate those official uniforms.
Yes, but please ask the bride and the groom beforehand. Showing up as a soldier in a themed wedding (color themes, I mean) might not be the best idea. Ask them clearly if it's okay to wear your uniform to their event. Also, follow your military regulations.