How to Dress for a Funeral
If you are attending a funeral soon, you may be wondering how you should dress for this occasion. After all, you want to dress appropriately and show respect for the deceased as well as the family. However, if you have not been in this situation, you may be unsure of what exactly is proper etiquette when it comes to your outfit. Luckily, directors of funeral homes in Hoffman Estates, IL have these tips to help.
Choose Your Color
Of course, black is always a safe color to wear to funerals, but there are other colors you can choose from as well. If you don’t have any black pieces in your wardrobe, consider other somber colors such as deep greens, eggplant, tones of gray, or other natural hues. The one thing you want to avoid here are any bright colors such as red, yellow, or bright purple. The purpose is to dress so that the focus remains on the deceased, not your outfit.
Dress Like You Are Going on a Job Interview
While attire today has become way more casual in most settings, it is still important to dress up for a funeral as these are more formal occasions. A good rule of thumb is to dress as if you are going to an interview or a Sunday morning church service.
Women could opt for a skirt and blouse, a nice dress, or even a pantsuit. Just make sure that dress and skirts lengths are on the conservative side and not too short
Men could wear slacks and a dress shirt, a complete suit, or slacks and a jacket. Men should make sure to choose a necktie that is a nice color or pattern with nothing too bold or bright.
Choose Your Jewelry
Just as with your clothing, you want to make sure your jewelry is also minimal and conservative. This means leaving any big statement pieces at home and instead opting for simple pieces. Men should also follow this rule as well when it comes to the watch or any rings they may wear.
What Not to Wear
Even though many occasions are more accepting of casual attire, funerals are still not one of those situations. Things you should avoid wearing to a funeral consist of things like:
- Athletic shoes
- Flip flops
- Jeans (even if they are black you should still try to avoid wearing them)
- Baseball caps
- T-shirts
- “Club” clothes – Leave the Saturday night outfits for the dance clubs
- Tank tops
More Tips
Other than the actual pieces of clothing you choose, there are some additional tips to keep in mind. First, make sure to limit any perfume or cologne you may wear. You will be sitting in close quarters with other people and want to be considerate of that.
Also, consider the weather. If it may be cold inside the church or funeral home, make sure to take a light jacket or wrap with you. If it looks like rain, make sure to take an umbrella.
Lastly, remember to keep it simple overall. Your outfit, color choice, jewelry, accessories, and even your hairstyle should be dressy but minimal. You are not there to make a fashion statement, you are there to honor and pay tribute to the deceased.
Just remember to follow these tips from directors of funeral homes in Hoffman Estates, IL and your outfit will be sure to be perfect for this somber occasion.
