Selecting an outfit for a funeral can be challenging. You may wonder what is (or isn’t) appropriate or how formal or casual the outfit should be. While it can be tricky dressing for this solemn service, directors of funeral homes in Canby, OR have this advice to help.
Key Takeaways:
- Women should wear a blouse and skirt, a skirt suit, or a dress to a funeral, whereas men should wear a polo shirt with slacks and a belt or a button-down shirt with a tie, slacks and a belt.
- Black is always an acceptable color for funeral attire. Other colors are dark grays, deep blues, brown shades, lighter grays, earthy tones, deep purples, or dark greens.
- Do not wear baseball caps, sneakers, flip flops, party clothes or anything ripped, frayed pajamas or revealing clothing.
- Additional tips: Wear shirts and dresses that cover your neck; Wear skirts and dresses that are not too short (no miniskirts);
- Dress as you would for a job interview or church service.
- Be respectful of religious settings when choosing your outfit.
Wardrobe Pieces
The first thing to know is that funerals are fairly formal events. This means that wardrobe pieces women should consider wearing include:
- Blouse and skirt
- Skirt suit
- Dress
- Skirt and sweater
- Pants and top with sleeves
- Pantsuit
For men, pieces can include:
- Polo shirt, slacks, and a belt
- Dress suit with a tie
- Button-down shirt with tie, slacks, and belt
- Button-down shirt, vest, slacks, belt
- A blazer can be added to any of the above
Appropriate Colors
While black is always a standard color when it comes to clothing, other colors are also acceptable. Some of these colors are:
- Dark Grays
- Deep Blues
- Brown Shades
- Lighter Grays
- Earthy Tones
- Deep Purples
- Dark Deep Greens
You want to make sure the color you choose is a darker, more somber color. Stay away from bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
What Not to Wear to a Funeral
While some funerals service may opt for a little more casual feel, there are some items you should steer clear of when dressing for such an event. These include:
- Baseball caps– If you must wear a hat go for something stylish like a fedora. Leave the baseball cap at home.
- Sneakers– Even if they are in good condition, it’s best to opt for a nice pair of dress shoes
- Flip flops– These shoes are great for the beach but not appropriate for a funeral
- Party clothes– Outfits that may be great to wear to the club are not something you should wear at a funeral
- Anything ripped or frayed-You want your attire to look clean and tidy, If anything is ripped or frayed, choose another item.
- Pajamas – People are wearing pajamas more and more out in public places and events. While it may seem obvious to most, a funeral is not the place to wear them.
Additional Tips
Funerals are a time for friends and family to gather, pay their respects to the deceased, and celebrate a life lived. The focus should be on the deceased and not your choice of outfit. To make sure you don’t stand out for the wrong reasons, keep these additional tips in mind when selecting your outfit:
- Shirts and dresses should cover up to the neck so avoid open collars
- Skirts and dresses should be of appropriate length. No miniskirts.
- Dress as you would for a job interview or a Sunday morning church service
- Don’t wear anything revealing
- Be considerate of any religious settings/ requirements. For example, some settings may require shoulders and knees covered
Final Thoughts
While dressing for a funeral can be tricky, if you follow the tips from directors of funeral homes in Canby, OR. you will be able to put together a winning outfit. If you have any doubt about an outfit or piece of clothing, just remember to err on the side of caution and opt for more conservative choices. You will have the opportunity to plan every detail of your funeral or memorial service as well.