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.
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. Shy away from wearing jeans, even black ones, because they are considered too casual for a funeral.
So anything from eggplant to navy, forest green, chocolate or deep burgundy are acceptable. We, too, have been to funerals where guests wore bright or pastel colors, and no one made a fuss.
When arranging a colourful funeral, you can ask guests to wear colours of their choice or simply stick to one colour which may have been your loved one's favourite. We suggest giving attendees the option of wearing vibrant colours or dressing in traditional funeral colours, should they feel more comfortable doing so.
Stay away from colors like pink, orange, red, yellow or light blue. Navy blue or another dark understated solid color (burgundy, dark gray) can work as well. If at all possible, avoid boldly patterned or metallic ties.
For women, adding color can be done through patterns and floral designs. Much like with men's funeral attire, color should be used to subtly accent your outfit. Try to make sure that your outfit does not have overly bright colors or wild patterns that draw attention.
Black is the rule of thumb. Unless stated otherwise, black is an excellent place to start your funeral outfit quest. A classic cut dress or tailored pants for women and a suit for men is a good idea. Don't worry about trying to make your accessories match.
It's the color of celebrations and positive energy. Wearing red to a funeral would be considered inappropriate because it would clash with the somber atmosphere and be viewed as disrespectful. In some eastern cultures, red is also seen as a positive color, but it carries different connotations.
In fact, it can be considered disrespectful and unlucky to wear purple if you are not attending a funeral, as the color has a sacred, devotional meaning to it. In Thailand, purple defines sorrow, and is reserved for widows to wear while mourning the death of their spouse.
Grey, navy and brown are all formal, non-black colours. Muted floral patterns can also be a good choice for women, such as a floral dress or blouse.
Dress Conservatively
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. Men's funeral attire should stick to wearing a suit with an ironed white dress shirt and dark tie to match.
Black is the traditional choice because it is safe and has been used for mourning in the Western cultures for centuries. That doesn't mean you need to go out of the way to buy black clothes or suits specifically for the funeral. You can wear other colors as long as they aren't too bright and flashy.
Most common funeral etiquette practices for women to wear include a dark or black skirt suit or pantsuit; a skirt of appropriate length or pants and a top with sleeves, a blouse, or a sweater; flats or pumps. In some cultures, and religions women wear hats to funerals.
All things considered, black or any other dark-coloured dress is always appropriate. Make sure to consider the location and weather of the funeral service and consult with the family member of the deceased if you need some specific advice.
The truth of whether wearing white to a funeral is likely to offend anyone has to do with the circumstances. It's more likely to be offensive if: You're very close family, such as a parent, child, grandchild, or spouse, of the person who has died. You're wearing white with lettering or prints on it.
White flowers are the most commonly present at funerals. This traditional color choice represents honor, peace, and innocence. Pink is considered a respectful color choice, used to express gentleness and sympathy. Red flowers symbolize love, as well as beauty and strength.
Pink: admiration, appreciation, elegance, grace, love (often used at the funerals of women or children)
If you wear makeup, you'll want to keep things minimal for a funeral. Stick to light, natural colors and a nude lipstick. Avoid anything featuring bright colors, glitter, or unnatural hues.
Opt for a conservative, closed-toed pair of heels or flats. The same rule applies for both men's and women's sandals. If your funeral will be taking place in a warm climate, you might be tempted to throw on a pair of fancier sandals or open-toed shoes.
Although perfumes and colognes are not technically clothing, people often wear them when they dress up. Chemical sensitivities (which can cause coughing, sneezing, and severe headaches) to the ingredients that go into these scents is prevalent, so it's best not to wear perfume or cologne to a funeral service..
At the traditional funeral most Australians are familiar with, it is respectful to wear smart, well-pressed clothes in a dark colour. Black has long been typically worn by mourners at a traditional funeral, but dark shades such as navy or grey are also appropriate. A smart work suit or outfit is usually acceptable.
The appropriate attire for a funeral or memorial service is simple: dress to show respect for the person whose life you are remembering. This means selecting clothes that are more conservative, not flashy or brightly colored. Darker dresses, suits, pants, jackets and sweaters are appropriate.
Can you wear jeans to a funeral? Bottom line: jeans are not appropriate for a funeral. Unless the family requests them, you should avoid wearing denim to a funeral. However, if it's a casual, outdoor service, you can consider a dark (almost black denim) paired with a button-down shirt and blazer.