Our CEO recently commented on funeral dress codes during a BBC Radio Scotland interview following the funeral of the late Pope Francis. “What should I wear to a funeral?” is a commonly asked question. When it comes to funeral dress codes, our advice is simple: respect the request made by the family or the person who’s died as much as you can.
Look for clues
Funeral notices or intimations often carry precise instructions or guidance. These notices were traditionally published in newspapers containing instructions to mourners about the location, timings and dress codes. Similar messages are shared on social media from online obituaries or families may use their networks to share news about the funeral plans.
Make it personal
As funerals are increasingly personal and individual, it’s not uncommon for families to express a particular preference for the funeral dress code. They may ask mourners to wear a single colour, bright colours, or to bring team branding to the funeral. We’ve had uniforms, sports teams, professional colleagues turn up as a group which is usually planned or advised in advance. A farmer’s funeral stands out as many mourners arrived in wellies, “because that’s what he would be wearing”. If a family has a specific idea in mind, they’ll often make it clear and share the request widely.
Err on the conservative
In the absence of any specific direction, our advice is to choose an outfit that is smart, formal and usually something dark. The days of black mourning or Sunday “best” outfits have gone but you can still find something that reflects respect and takes more effort than everyday wear.
Think ahead
If you are attending a graveside or woodland burial and the ground is uneven or the weather unforgiving, then your fashion choices will be limited to what’s comfortable and safe. Flip flops for beach funerals, hiking shoes for woodland burials and in the UK, probably always a waterproof coat.
What would you like for your funeral? Making your wishes clear is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for those you love. It removes doubt from those responsible for making decisions to honour you, so why don’t you download our checklist of considerations, and we’ll send you a Plan of Wishes with extra copies – absolutely free.
You can listen to the full interview with our CEO and Kaye Adams via BBC Sounds
