The last minute funeral – what to pull out of your closet or have on hand
When planning to attend a funeral, particularly at short notice, it can be difficult to know what to
wear. The situation calls for attire that is respectful and considerate of the solemnity of the
event. The main rule to bear in mind is to lean towards conservative and subdued clothing. To
ease the burden of a last-minute closet dilemma, here are a few things to have on hand all year
round:
What Women Should Wear to a Funeral or Wake
The safest and most acceptable palette for a funeral attire are dark colors such as black, navy blue, or grey. Avoid bright and flashy colors that may be deemed inappropriate or disrespectful. It is best to stick with conservative clothing. This includes knee-length dresses or skirts, tailored pants, and modest blouses.
A simple, knee-length black dress is always a safe option for a funeral. It can be dressed up or down with accessories and is appropriate for any weather type. Here are a few year-round funeral outfits for women to have on hand:
- A classic, black or dark colored dress
- Simple, dark colored blouse and dress pants
- Pencil skirts with a dress shirt
A few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure to keep outfits that currently fit
- Keep a pair of matching shoes on hand
- Short sleeves can be worn during the summer, or with a cardigan if its cooler
What Men Should Wear to a Funeral or Wake
For men, a simple dark suit is always appropriate. If you don’t own one, consider investing in a well-fitted one as it can be worn for multiple occasions. A tie and dress shoes are also essential pieces to complete the look. Here are a few year-round funeral outfits for men to have on hand:
- A dark suit with a white dress shirt and tie
- A button-down shirt with dress pants with or without a blazer
- A polo shirt with dress pants
A few things to keep in mind:
- Keep your outfit clean and ironed
- Stick to dark, conservative colors
- Avoid jeans or t-shirts
Children
While your children are living at home, it may be necessary to also have something on hand for them to wear for occasions like funerals. For example, select dresses, skirts, or pants in darker colors for young girls; pants and a shirt for young boys. Ensure that children’s clothing is comfortable, as they may be expected to remain still and respectful during the service. Simple attire that could be worn to a graduation, church event or other occasion are appropriate to keep on hand.
Shoes and Accessories
Shoes and accessories are important elements to complete a funeral attire. For women, closed-toe shoes are recommended as they give off a more formal and respectful look. Avoid wearing high heels or flashy jewelry. A simple pair of pearl earrings or a modest necklace is appropriate. For men, black or brown dress shoes are best. Avoid sneakers or any flashy accessories.
Weather Considerations
It is important to take into consideration the weather, particularly if the funeral or wake is outdoors. For women, a shawl or cardigan can be used to cover bare shoulders and arms in case it gets chilly. For men, a suit jacket or blazer can also serve the same purpose. It is always a good idea to have these items on hand in case of any unexpected weather changes.
Remember that each funeral or memorial is different, and it is important to keep in context that in some cases special requests are made by the family to honor the deceased, it may be a favorite sports team or a favorite color, so it’s always important to respect these requests and be mindful of them when selecting attire. It is also important to remember that the most important thing is to show your support and pay your respects, not necessarily what you are wearing. Having these few key items on hand can help ease the stress of dressing for a last minute funeral or wake. In other cases, there may be specific roles in the ceremony that require more specific or formal attire, which should be taken into consideration on a case by case basis.
