How Should I Dress for a Funeral Service?

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Karen Reardon under Funeral Home
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funeral homes in Indian Trail, NC

For anyone who has been to funeral homes in Indian Trail, NC, you would notice some typical dressing styles. This is because the funeral service is a highly symbolic event. Family members, friends, and other well-wishers come together to express their sadness at the death of a loved one. They are also celebrating the life of the deceased. As such, everything that revolves around the event has to be carefully done. You have to be cautious with your gestures, words, and then your dressing.

Based on our observations, we have developed guides for dressing to a funeral service.

Principles That Should Govern Your Dressing to a Funeral

There are no specific rules regarding the clothes you can put on for a funeral. Nonetheless, some general guidelines should inform your dressing. They include:

Dark Colors: The color black is popularly attached to funeral ceremonies. We can trace the tradition back to Ancient Rome, where putting on a dark Toga symbolizes that you’re mourning.

Many people see it as a sign of respect for the deceased and their family in the West. Since it is a widely accepted culture, it is only prudent that you conform with it, especially when it comes to funerals.

However, you don’t have to wear black. Putting on deep colors is just as appropriate. As such, darker shades of blue, gray, and brown are fine. If you are putting on a suit, the shirt can be white.

Dresses that Cover Your Body: Although we can’t certainly trace where this tradition came from, it is widely recognized as the norm. Generally, you should wear clothes that cover more sensitive body areas. Thus, your dress should cover the chest up to the neck. Don’t expose your collars.

Then, the lower parts of the body should be concealed as well. Specifically, the dressing should cover the knees, and as a result, short skirts or shorts may not be appropriate.

Non-attractive Styling: This is a funeral, and you should have no intention of calling attention to yourself with your dressing. Therefore, only put on simple dresses with minimal or no styling.

Your shirts, for instance, should not have any ‘crazy’ prints or patterns. They should also not bear any unsuitable inscriptions or messages.

Dressing Formal vs Less Formal to a Funeral

People are often torn between putting on casual or less formal clothing as against dressing formally to a funeral. The simple answer is that there are no specific rules for this.

Whichever you decide to go for, the guiding principle should be keeping things simple, less attractive, and respectful to the mourners.Funeral Service  Indian Trail, NC

However, formal dressing is more common at funerals, as they seem more appropriate. Therefore, we will simply recommend that you dress as you would to an interview or to church, but with darker colors and much simpler outfits.

What Not to Wear to a Funeral

We have emphasized that there is no constitution for dressing for funerals. However, certain pieces of clothing are best not worn to a funeral. These include athletic clothing such as tennis shoes and sneakers. Then, very casual wear such as flip-flops, tank tops, and extremely tight dresses may also seem improper.

It is also prudent to avoid expensive or flashy jewelry and related accessories.

Conclusion

While there are no codes of dressing for funerals anywhere, you, however, should observe certain etiquettes. Funeral homes in Indian Trail, NC have lots of experience organizing funeral services. Thus, they know best which dresses are most appropriate. We have used our observations to provide this guide.