Mourners are usually encouraged to wear dark, muted colors. Black is traditional but any dark color is usually considered appropriate. A dark-colored suit and tie for men is often seen as traditional attire, but need not be so formal. Meanwhile, a black dress or suit for female mourners is also considered appropriate.
Women should wear a black skirt or dress or pantsuit. If black clothing is not available, attendees should aim for wearing the darkest semi-formal clothes they have. It is no longer required that women wear hats, although some do. Men should absolutely not wear a hat in the church.
Avoid wearing bright colors, bold patterns, or flashy accessories as they may be considered disrespectful in a funeral setting. It's also advisable to avoid wearing all white as it may be associated with celebrations rather than mourning in the Catholic faith.
What do women wear to a funeral? A skirt or dress – these should be knee-length and not flashy or revealing, normally with tights. A pair of smart trousers – jeans and other casual trousers are not appropriate for a funeral. A pair of smart full-length or ankle grazer trousers in a dark colour can be a good option.
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.
However, you may spot someone within the crowd wearing white pants with a black shirt. But is this proper attire for a funeral service? While it may not be as common for people to wear the color white for such a somber occasion, it can be done. However, it must be done tastefully if you decide to do so.
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.
First and foremost, dress appropriately. This means no jeans, shorts, or tank tops. Instead, opt for dark, conservative clothing. Women should avoid wearing anything too revealing or flashy, and men should make sure their clothing is clean and wrinkle-free.
Shoes, socks, underwear, singlets, bras, briefs, hosiery and reading glasses are all used if the family so desires, and the deceased is dressed in them as they would be in life. A plastic undergarment will also be placed on the deceased to avoid any leakage.
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.
Catholic Funeral Mass Etiquette and Dress Code
Black is traditional but any dark color is usually considered appropriate. A dark-colored suit and tie for men is often seen as traditional attire, but need not be so formal. Meanwhile, a black dress or suit for female mourners is also considered appropriate.
Both men and women need to cover their knees and upper arms. Visitors are prohibited from wearing sleeveless tops, and low-cut shirts. Shorts or bottoms that end above the knee: Women, If you are wearing a skirt, dress, or pair of shorts then make sure they end below the knee at least.
Depending on the traditions and customs observed by the individual the most traditional items include sympathy flowers, baked goods and desserts, fruit, dried fruit, & nuts, and assorted chocolates.
If a funeral Mass is celebrated for a non-Catholic, for instance, the name of the deceased should not be included in the Eucharistic prayer, but their name can be used in the other prayers. For a family member who is non-baptized, a priest or deacon could, if requested, offer prayers for the deceased in a funeral home.
A priest typically leads the wake. Prayers are said for the person who has passed away, and people read from the bible or recite the rosary. There may be other readings, songs and poetry, and people usually read eulogies and share fond memories of the departed.
However, we recommend sticking to the rules of funeral suits for your pants. Black, gray or navy should be your first choices. Brown or tan colored pants are okay, if this is your only option, and preferably worn with a dark colored sport coat. Keep your shoes dark and dressy.
If the funeral is being held in a church, be sure to dress modestly. Cover your arms or shoulders, at the very least. Black is not mandatory, but you can never go wrong wearing it. However, anything in a dark color will be just fine.
Flip-flops, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, casual tennis shoes and cleavage are not appropriate. Even though the service may be a celebration of life, many of those attending will be mourning. Your goal is to blend in, not be conspicuous.
Traditionally we've seen men (or boys) in suits and women in dresses, but there are no rules on how the deceased is dressed. What's becoming more common is dressing the deceased in clothing and accessories that display what type of person they were – or what they really enjoyed.
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.
While shorts are never appropriate, for men or women, and miniskirts are frowned upon; bare legs are acceptable if your skirt or dress falls to your knee.
A floral patterned skirt, or a dark-colored striped shirt, is played down enough to be appropriate for a funeral. However, bright and flashy patterns are to be avoided, especially if they use flashy colors as well.
Makeup/Jewelry:
Makeup should be kept simple. Foundation, a bit of blush and black eyeliner should suffice. Avoid bright lipstick, if any at all. As with clothing, you're makeup should not make you stand out.
Pink: admiration, appreciation, elegance, grace, love (often used at the funerals of women or children)
Dressing appropriately for funerals around the world
In the West, showing respect at a funeral typically requires conservative attire in black or dark colors. However, white is the color of mourning in China, and for Sikh, Hindu, and some Muslim services.