A skirt of appropriate length and blouse or sweater is normally appropriate. Flat shoes or pumps are your best choice for shoes. Open-toed shoes or sandals may be appropriate depending on the venue and climate. Depending on the culture, a hat may be worn.
Women should avoid wearing overly casual or festive clothing. Appropriate outfits for women to wear to a funeral include a skirt suit or pantsuit; a skirt of appropriate length (not a mini skirt) or pants (not jeans) and a top with sleeves, a blouse, or a sweater; flats or pumps (not sneakers).
Button-Down Shirt, Necktie And Dress Pants
Dress like you would if you were wearing a jacket. Dark dress pants, a dress shirt and dark colored tie. Since you're not wearing a jacket, you don't have to stick to a white dress shirt. Still keep the pattern solid, but gray and black shirts are okay, too.
Wear dark, neutral colors such as black, navy, or dark gray to appear respectful and for the solemn occasion. Avoid too funky, flashy, or revealing attires like mini skirts or deep-necks. Wear clothes that are formal and do not call for unnecessary attention.
Shy away from wearing jeans, even black ones, because they are considered too casual for a funeral. But if you only have a pair of black jeans, pair it with a tailored blazer, a nice shirt, and shoes (not sneakers) to make the look more fitting for the occasion.
Though you should ask the family hosting the service when in doubt, plain, neutral colors are generally acceptable for memorials. Wearing white in conjunction with other dark tones is absolutely appropriate.
Other dark colors like maroon, dark green, or navy are all considered suitable for funeral clothes. This means a black suit, black dress, plain white dress shirt, or smart black top with a black skirt or black pants are all safe choices (and items you probably have on hand in your closet).
Dark or muted dresses are traditional and don't take attention away from the service. Shoulders should be covered in most cases. Skirts and dresses should reach the knee. Suits are also considered respectful and appropriate.
For a funeral, keep your dress shirt simple. A clean, white dress shirt is the best choice. A subdued color like gray or black can also work. Again, avoid bright colors.
You are not required to actually view the body at a funeral viewing. Many people are a bit uncomfortable with the idea of attending a viewing, but keep in mind that funeral viewing etiquette does not require you to actually look at or spend time with the deceased if you are not comfortable doing so.
Wearing a dress that goes to your knees or below is a safe bet. A nice shirt and skirt in dark colors. Shirts that aren't low-cut and that also have some sort of sleeve are usually considered appropriate for funerals. Longer skirts are also more common, usually to the knee or longer.
At some point in history, a solid portion of the population believed: It was bad luck to wear anything new to the funeral, especially shoes. If rain falls during a funeral procession or if there is thunder during a burial, it's a sign the deceased is destined for heaven.
Winter funeral attire
Men could pair their shirt and tie with a black jumper while women may opt for an elegant cardigan or sweater. If you are wearing a dress, choose some thick plain tights or stockings to keep your legs warm. If you don't have a black jumper or cardigan, you can always layer up underneath instead.
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.
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.
Much like funeral service itself has evolved over the years, so too has dressing for a funeral. If you find yourself debating what to wear to a funeral, the best answer is dress conservatively. Wearing a suit or nice dress and being considered overdressed is never a bad thing.
Plain blouse or top – if you are wearing a skirt or trousers, you can pair this with a smart blouse or top. This should be conservative and plain i.e. no bold colours or patterns. Cardigan, jumper or blazer – if it is winter or the venue is cold, it's a good idea to bring an additional layer.
In general, black shoes are the best choice. Because black is versatile, it goes well with almost every clothing choice. However, you might also choose shoes in navy, gray, or charcoal colors. Darker colors communicate sympathy and mourning in funeral attire.
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.
Shoes Matter
For a funeral, closed-toe dress shoes are generally thought to be the correct choice for both men and women. Black shoes are usually the best choice, but brown or dark blue shoes are also usually acceptable.
No. While conservative dresses and dress-suits are appropriate, they are not required. As with men, it's best to consider similar options that would be appropriate for a business meeting. Dresses, skirt-suits, pantsuits, and skirts or pants paired with nice blouses or tops are appropriate for most funeral services.
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.
The most common answer is that jeans aren't considered appropriate funeral etiquette unless requested by the family. However, dark, unembellished jeans paired with a shirt, tie, and blazer for men or a blouse and a blazer for women can be appropriate for a casual service.
In regard to funeral attire for men, make sure you match your shoes to your suit color. Brown shoes go best with a blue, brown or light grey suit. Black shoes match with a black suit, dark blue or dark grey suit. Women should also make sure that they prioritize comfort over fashion.
When selecting a shoe for the funeral, it's best to go with one that matches your suit or dress clothes. For example, if you have a light grey suit or brown slacks, it would be best to pair them with brown shoes. However, if you have a black or dark blue suit, black shoes would be more appropriate.