Funeral Attire

I'll be attending a funeral, probably next week or shortly thereafter. I've never been to one and I have no idea what to wear. I think that's an odd worry but I'm still kind of shaky from the news...and I'll still be wondering when I have no one to ask but the people who are busy with their grief.

So...what do I wear?

Solid/neutral colors. I would probably stay away from jeans and wear a pair of dress slacks.

Sorry for your loss :(

Okay, I've got a decent pair of black pants I wear for work. I've heard that you don't have to do all black anymore? I just don't think I have a black shirt I could wear. Plenty of black shirts, but either low cut with frills or t-shirts. I do have a brown shirt with a collar that I could wear.

Most of my clothes are neon. As is my hair. This is such a weird thing for me.

A conservative black dress. Nothing too clingy or sexy.

Original Post by mrs_noel:

A conservative black dress. Nothing too clingy or sexy.

I don't have anything like that. I own two dresses,  one is really flashy & gold & blue and the other is black but it's in gothic style and definitely makes me stand out, which is not what I'm going for. I'm low on cash since I have to fly out to this, so I'll have to make do with what I have I think.

You could wear your work slacks and a neutral colored shirt. It doesn't have to be black, but I'd stay away from the neon or any bright colors. navy, dark green, dark purple, dark...anything really or a beige or ivory top would be okay too. Just wear what you'd be comfortable in that is conservative.

Original Post by thehappyfish:

Original Post by mrs_noel:

A conservative black dress. Nothing too clingy or sexy.

I don't have anything like that. I own two dresses,  one is really flashy & gold & blue and the other is black but it's in gothic style and definitely makes me stand out, which is not what I'm going for. I'm low on cash since I have to fly out to this, so I'll have to make do with what I have I think.

Okay well we can all understand that. As a rule of thumb I think it's always good to have a funeral outfit, an interview outfit, and a formal outfit in your closet so you're prepared for whatever last minute situation might come up. In your situation I'd suggest your darkest shirt and pants/skirt that are also conservative. Also you could always buy a black shirt and skirt for around $10 each at Walmart. Either way as long as you're dressed conservatively and not wearing a skin tight fushia dress then you'll be fine.

Black. If you don't have something appropriate go to a thrift store, I am positive you could find something for only a few bucks.

I am sorry for your loss, happy :(( this is sad news. I have to agree with other posters who mentioned black. in my opinion, it is the only appropriate color. if you are low in cash, you could get something cheap from Wall mart or a thrift store.

Or just borrow it from friends. ask if anyone has a black dress.

I'm really sorry for your loss. :(

Do you have anything gray? I wore a gray dress shirt and black slacks to my grandmother's funeral couple years ago.

Your brown collared shirt and black slacks should be fine.  I'm sorry for your loss, Happy.

Wear black clothes and don't show to much skin.

Conservative and low key are the most appropriate.

*ahem*  Well, when my grandfather died last year while I was six weeks pregnant, I wore a slutty black dress to his funeral.  One of those skin-coloured dresses with black lace overlay.  But I also hopped on the back of a motorcycle and rode to his internment, so..

Most people there wore business casual.  Black, dark colours, hell, even some pastels.  Whatever's comfortable, you're grieving, people understand.

All the funerals I've been to, it wasn't necessarily black as much as just something nice and "somber".  Dull, muted colors - gray, brown, blue, it doesn't matter a lot.  Doesn't even have to be dark, just neutral.  Sure, if you have nice black stuff and want to wear it, that's great, but honestly, unless you show up in something that's blazing "look at me!", nobody's going to think much on what you are wearing.

When my dad died, I couldn't bear the thought of wearing black, so I wore something conservative with mostly cream and beige colours.

It doesn't have to be black, just dark/neutral and conservative/low key. Think churchy type attire.

Thanks everybody. This wasn't a surprise but it still sucks. I mean, I suppose deep down I was expecting it, but only for the past week or so. I could easily opt out of the funeral but I don't want my mom to fly down by herself - my dad can't take the time off because he's going to see his own mom in September so that's fair, and my sister can't bear to go. But my mom...I don't want her to be on that plane thinking about burying her sister. I want to keep her at least a little distracted.

Er, anyway.

I'll wear my work pants and I'll bring any neutral shirts I have...I've been collecting nice work shirts, so I think I have beige and brown. For a while all I had was tshirts. Oops. At least I don't dress so much like a teenager anymore.

Another question...should I wear a hat or something, or is that rude? I was wondering how I could tone down my glowing head without dying it.

Original Post by thehappyfish:

I'll wear my work pants and I'll bring any neutral shirts I have...I've been collecting nice work shirts, so I think I have beige and brown. For a while all I had was tshirts. Oops. At least I don't dress so much like a teenager anymore.

Another question...should I wear a hat or something, or is that rude? I was wondering how I could tone down my glowing head without dying it.

I don't think you have to, you did everything you could with your clothes, nobody expects you to change your hair.

But if you really want, pull your hair back in a low bun (if it is long, otherwise, just sleek it) and wear a black headband.

But really, I suggest you just go with "proper" hair, a low bun or sleeked hair and you should be fine.