Can You Wear White To A Funeral? + 4 Outfit Ideas
When attending a memorial service at a funeral home, church, etc., you often see people wearing dark colors such as shades of black, dark blue, or dark grey. You almost never see someone showing up to a funeral in bright colors, and for good reason.
Even the funeral director and funeral home employees wear darker colors, typically black suits. In western cultures, the dress code for funerals is always something dark.
Our society teaches us that death means dark, so as proper funeral etiquette, people wear darker colors with the traditional color being black.
However, you may spot someone within the crowd wearing white pants with a black shirt. But is this proper attire for a funeral service?
While it may not be as common for people to wear the color white for such a somber occasion, it can be done. However, it must be done tastefully if you decide to do so.
The last thing you want to do is come off as disrespectful, so today, we’re sharing the dos and don’t of dressing for a funeral.
Funeral Etiquette: what you can and can’t wear to a funeral
What You CAN wear to a funeral
Traditional funeral attire requires you to dress appropriately, which typically means avoiding overly casual outfits. Women often choose to wear a black dress and men typically wear a black suit. You may even see women wearing suit jackets and pants in darker colors if they decide not to wear a dress.
A good rule of thumb is to consider a funeral a formal occasion in which formal attire is expected, with black clothing typically being the color of choice.
Here is a list of what is acceptable to wear at a funeral:
- Dresses or skirts in appropriate lengths which includes knee level or just below, so you don’t show too much skin.
- Something to cover bare shoulders. A good option would be a shawl, jacket, or sweater.
- Full suit.
- Skirt suit set.
- Tops that offer ample coverage – think blouses, sweaters, button-down tops.
If you’re having a difficult time finding pieces that work well together, a black skirt suit is a great choice. Typically, a skirt suit will come with a knee-length skirt, white blouse, and jacket.
When dressing for a funeral service, it’s a good idea to dress as though you’re attending a job interview or church service. The most important thing is not to show too much skin and the best way to do this is to opt for pieces in muted/neutral colors that provide adequate coverage.
As for footwear, there are also a few key details to keep remember
- Choose low-heeled or flat shoes so you’ll be comfortable. Funerals often have a graveside service and walking in tall heels in the grass can be difficult.
- Sometimes when women wear heels to a funeral, they may decide to bring a pair of flip flops for this moment. However, this can be considered rude, and a memorial service is not the time to be disrespectful.
Instead, opt for a nice pair of ballet flats or pointy-toe mules. You’ll still be comfortable while also being classy as both styles will keep your toes concealed.
Here is a list of shoes that are great choices for a funeral:
- Pumps
- Low ankle booties
- Ballet Flats
- Pointy-toe mules
- Closed-toe ankle strap heels
- Loafers
- Oxfords
The focus at a funeral should be on the person no longer living, not on your fashionable clothing. So let’s go over what you should avoid wearing to a funeral.
What You Shouldn’t Wear To A Funeral
Here are a few things to always avoid when choosing your outfit for a funeral:
- Excessive makeup
- Jewelry that makes noise
- Street clothing
- Baseball Caps
- Athletic shoes
- Spaghetti straps
- Strong perfumes
- Jeans
- Sheer, opaque, or ill-fitting clothing
- Low-cut Tops
- Overly short dresses and skirts
- Extremely bold and/or bright colors
- Sky-high stiletto heels
- Flip flops
- Sneakers
- Over The Knee Boots
Funeral Attire FAQs
Is It Rude to Wear White Clothing to a Funeral?
Traditionally, the color white symbolizes new beginnings, purity, and innocence. This is often the case in western cultures such as the United States and Western Europe.
However, in some cultures, white is the color of mourning. For example, in Eastern countries such as China and Korea, the color white is associated with death, bad luck, and mourning.
Can you wear white pants to a funeral?
In cultures where white is a common color for funerals, it is typically worn by those who are closest to the deceased. However, wearing white pants to a funeral may be considered rude if you are not a close loved one.
What if it’s okay to wear the color white?
The wishes of the family will vary from one culture to the next. In some cultures, the family of the deceased may let you know ahead of time if it is acceptable to wear white.
Your best bet is to plan on not wearing an all-white outfit to a funeral unless you’ve been specifically told it is acceptable to do so.
Let’s say a family member of the deceased does decide that everyone should wear white to represent new beginnings for the deceased. In this case, yes, you can wear white pants to the funeral. The all-white suit above would be a good choice.
Just make sure your pants are not too tight and of course, make sure you cannot see any lines from undergarments. This can make your clothing seem provocative.
You can keep it completely monochrome with a white top underneath or pair it with a solid black shirt so your look is well-balanced. Lastly, remember to wear low heels or flat shoes to be comfortable during the service.
Can a woman wear a white dress shirt and black pants to a funeral?
Yes, a white shirt and any dark dress pants are ok to wear to a funeral.
If your top happens to be a button-down shirt, ensure it’s not too tight around the chest area. Conservative clothing is a must within a place of worship, so make sure you’re wearing appropriate attire.
If you don’t have something appropriate enough already in your closet and you don’t have the means to splurge on new clothing, your best option is to consider asking a friend or family member if you can borrow something.
Most people understand that not everyone can afford to go out and buy a new outfit for every occasion. However, that’s not an excuse to just wear whatever you have. Appropriate clothing is an absolute must for a traditional funeral service.
Is wearing subdued colors considered disrespectful for a funeral?
Besides the color white, you might see someone wearing subdued colors to a funeral. While certain subdued colors are acceptable, anything overly bold should be avoided. For example, reds are often associated with romance which is not typically a color worn by funeral attendees.
As funerals are often seen as darker moments, it can be distasteful for you to come to the service in a bright red dress or wearing bright red lipstick. Unless the loved ones in charge say you can wear red, consider a different option.
As a general rule of thumb for funeral traditions, stick to dark clothing in neutral colors.
What about winter funeral traditional attire?
During the colder months, you may not want to wear a dress to a funeral. In this case, the best choice is to wear a dark suit with dress shoes. Whether you opt for a full suit or something a bit more business casual, just be sure that it falls in line with what the family expects from their guests.
If you’re still unsure what to wear to an upcoming funeral, here are a few simple outfits that will ensure you’re appropriately dressed for the occasion.
Women’s Funeral Outfit Ideas
A Black Midi Dress
If you’re looking for a safe dress option you can’t go wrong with a long-sleeve midi length style. This dress is belted so it’s flattering while also still offering full coverage but not too form-fitting. While black is a great choice, it does come in many other colors as well.
Shop Chiffon Blouse | Shop Dress Pants
A long sleeve chiffon blouse & paper bag waist pants
Style your solid color dress pants with a top that has a subtle print. The top above is a great choice and would be great for the office as well.
Blazer Pant Suit
A blazer, long-sleeved shirt, and pants suit in a deep blue or navy is also another great option. As mentioned previously, purchasing a full set alleviates the need for you to put together a whole new look on your own.
This set comes with the jacket and pants so all you have to do is put on a white shirt underneath and you’re good to go.
At the end of the day, the dress code for each funeral will vary based on the family of the deceased. You should use your best judgment when deciding whether or not to wear white pants and if in doubt, always ask.
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