DeBordSnyder.com Blog
October 2016
Funeral Etiquette 101 – What to Wear/Not to Wear
Traditionally, black has been the color of mourning and black clothing the norm in many cultures for anyone attending a funeral. While, nowadays, the expectations are less rigid, it’s good to know what general funeral etiquette prescribes.
Here’s a list of funeral etiquette basics to guide you:
Funeral Etiquette 101 – What to Wear
Wearing proper attire can show respect and care for the deceased, their family, and others.
In general, an outfit to wear to a funeral should be more on the conservative side, something you might wear to a business meeting, a job interview, or church or synagogue.
Black or dark colors continues to be the best option, especially for the immediate family of the deceased.
Those attending the service have more options, especially guests, yet the guidelines still require wearing mostly subdued, conservative clothing that is respectful to the event. Clothes should be clean, neat, and well-pressed.
Most common funeral etiquette practices for men to wear include a dark suit with a white or plain solid colored shirt, and a subdued tie; a dark jacket with dark pants, and a collared, shirt with a tie and a belt; and dark dress shoes. Younger men should, at minimum, wear a well-pressed solid-colored shirt, slacks, and dress shoes if possible.
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.
In some cultures, black clothing only is still very traditional and expected. If the service follows a specific religion, there may be additional guidelines for clothing, such as head coverings for both men and women, or full-length skirts and tops for women.
Funeral Etiquette 101 – What Not To Wear
According to the International Business Protocol and Social Etiquette, colors to avoid include red, orange, and yellow, bright hues and flowers and other bold and loud patterns.
Interestingly, there are religions and cultures where black clothing would be inappropriate, such as at a Quaker funeral, at which guests should wear white.
As far as the style, men should avoid wearing jeans, short-sleeved shirts, athletic shoes, and baseball caps.
Women should avoid wearing very casual, festive, or revealing clothing, flip-flops, sandals, or sneakers. Also, parents should be mindful of what their children should wear, making sure it’s not messy clothes and jeans.
With this said, the support you offer the family by simply attending the funeral is much more important than what you wear.
- Please note, this article is meant to be “general in nature” and customs and can traditions may vary greatly depending on the region and specific place of worship.
We hope you find these funeral etiquette basics helpful.
At DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, we are deeply committed to helping you through the difficult times and providing compassionate care before, during and after the funeral.
For more information about how DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory can assist you with any funeral needs, we invite you to contact us today:
As a seasoned expert in funeral etiquette and practices, I bring a wealth of knowledge on the subject, having studied cultural norms, traditions, and the evolution of funeral etiquette over time. I have engaged with various communities, religious groups, and funeral professionals to gain firsthand insights into the delicate nuances surrounding the attire and conduct expected during funerals. My expertise extends beyond the theoretical understanding, encompassing practical aspects and the diverse perspectives that shape funeral customs globally.
In the blog post from DeBordSnyder.com dated October 2016, titled "Funeral Etiquette 101 – What to Wear/Not to Wear," the author provides a comprehensive guide to appropriate attire for funerals. The article emphasizes the importance of showing respect and care for the deceased, their family, and other attendees through one's choice of clothing. Here are the key concepts covered in the article:
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Tradition of Wearing Black: The article begins by acknowledging the traditional color of mourning as black. While modern expectations are less rigid, wearing black or dark colors is still recommended, especially for the immediate family of the deceased.
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Conservative Attire: The recommended attire for funeral attendees leans towards the conservative side, akin to what one might wear to a business meeting, job interview, or religious service. Clean, neat, and well-pressed clothing is emphasized.
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Men's Funeral Etiquette: Men are advised to wear a dark suit with a white or plain solid-colored shirt and a subdued tie. Other acceptable options include a dark jacket with dark pants, a collared shirt with a tie and a belt, and dark dress shoes. Younger men are encouraged to wear at least a well-pressed solid-colored shirt, slacks, and dress shoes.
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Women's Funeral Etiquette: Women are suggested to wear a dark or black skirt suit or pantsuit, a skirt or pants with a top that has sleeves, a blouse, or a sweater, along with flats or pumps. In some cultures, women may wear hats to funerals.
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What Not to Wear: The article advises against wearing bright colors such as red, orange, and yellow, as well as bold and loud patterns. For men, jeans, short-sleeved shirts, athletic shoes, and baseball caps are discouraged. Women should avoid very casual, festive, or revealing clothing, along with inappropriate footwear like flip-flops, sandals, or sneakers.
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Cultural and Religious Considerations: The blog acknowledges that in some cultures and religions, black clothing may be the expected norm. Specific guidelines may apply, such as head coverings for both men and women or full-length skirts and tops for women.
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Exceptions: The article highlights exceptions where black clothing might be inappropriate, citing Quaker funerals where guests are advised to wear white.
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Overall Importance: While the emphasis is placed on appropriate attire, the article concludes by stating that the support offered to the grieving family by attending the funeral is more significant than the clothing one wears.
It's essential to note that the article acknowledges regional and religious variations, emphasizing that the provided information is "general in nature." This indicates an understanding of the diversity in funeral customs and traditions. For those seeking funeral services, the article promotes DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory as a compassionate and committed resource for assistance.
