Attending a funeral is a special time to commemorate the deceased and pay your respects to the family, so you want to make sure you have dressed appropriately for the occasion. With women having so many wardrobe options, typically more than men, it’s important to know what is suitable to wear and what is not. This guide will give you a good idea of what a woman should wear to a funeral.
What is appropriate funeral attire for women?
Women should always aim to wear dark colors to a funeral as this is standard practice when attending a formal funeral ceremony. Appropriate funeral attire for women includes:
- A modest dress – Women should not wear anything too revealing as it may come across as distracting or inappropriate. A respectful dress shows respect for the deceased.
- A blouse and trousers – A dark-colored blouse and some formal trousers are a safe bet for women when choosing an outfit for a funeral. The blouse and the trousers should not have many colors or loud patterns on them, as this may take away from the day itself.
- A shirt and a skirt – Items like a knee-length A-line skirt or a pencil skirt with a modest shirt are appropriate for a funeral. Again, skirts should be monotone and not draw too much attention.
- Formal shoes – High heels are not always necessary as a formality, however, other shoes like ballet flats or nice loafers are also good options for women to wear.
Funeral attire for women in winter
When attending a funeral in the winter, women should always consider the weather and make sure they dress so that they do not get too cold. A winter funeral outfit for women can include a nice trench coat which is especially useful if attending an outdoor graveside funeral.
Trousers are also great for a funeral but if a dress or skirt is preferred, women can also wear tights or stockings to protect themselves against the winter cold.
In terms of footwear, a pair of nice boots are also appropriate especially for colder weather. Women should avoid wearing boots with laces as this takes away from the formality of the funeral.
Many people also carry umbrellas during winter funerals as the chance of rain is often higher. If you are considering taking an umbrella to a winter funeral, make sure that these are also dark in color to fit in with the rest of the theme.
Funeral attire for women in summer
Funerals in the summer call for women to wear clothing that will ensure they stay cool throughout the funeral service. In these cases, dresses and skirts are appropriate funeral attire for women.
When selecting a dress to wear to a funeral, the attendee needs to make sure they wear something that is at least knee length and not too revealing on the bust. Wearing something that is overly revealing is inappropriate, as a funeral is a time to pay respect to the deceased and to offer support to the family. Something distracting may be seen as taking away from the sentiment of the day.
For summer footwear, sandals should be avoided. Alternative summer shoes that are more appropriate include ballet flats or a pair of loafers. Sneakers are also not appropriate footwear for a funeral.
Shoes should also be a dark color and should not attract attention or clash with a dark outfit.
Other factors to consider when choosing a funeral outfit for women
There are several other factors of a funeral that may affect what a woman should wear to a funeral. The weather plays a big role in outfit selection but women should also take the following into account. Some other factors are listed below.
The location of the funeral
If the funeral is taking place in the traditional setting of a church, a more formal, modern outfit will be required. Dark-colored, high heeled shoes will also be appropriate for this location, however, if you are required to walk to a separate burial site, high heels may prove challenging to walk in. Make sure you know as much about the location of the funeral as possible before selecting your outfit.
What your relationship is with the deceased and the deceased’s family
If you are a close relative of the deceased, it’s pretty standard practice to dress more formally. For more distant relations making an effort is still advised, however, if you adhere to the guidelines of wearing respectful, dark attire, this is more than sufficient.
What the wishes of the family are
The details of the funeral should specify the formality and the occasion and may also include a dress code. Funerals held traditionally will typically require formal attire to be worn. You should also take into account the religion of the family and the traditions they wish to follow.
Specifications of the invite
If a funeral is being held as more of an end-of-life celebration, less formal and brighter clothing may be required. Always pay attention to any specifics detailed in a funeral invite as these will help to determine more appropriate attire to wear.
Dressing respectfully is all that matters
At the end of the day, the purpose of a funeral is to pay tribute and respect to someone who was loved and has passed away. Appropriate attire for a funeral should reflect the respect shown to the deceased. This is why modest, dark clothing is usually advised when it comes to what women should wear to a funeral.
If your outfit is respectful and in line with the requests of the family, and religious traditions and is weather appropriate, you can’t go wrong.
