What To Wear To A Celebration Of Life Service

Layne lost her father to cancer in her mid-20s. She hopes to aid others navigate their experience with loss.

You don't have to go with the standard black for a funeral, but you do want to dress appropriately. — You don't have to get with the standard black for a funeral, but yous do desire to dress appropriately.

Henry & Co on Unsplash

What to Vesture to a Funeral

First, if you are attending a funeral, wake, memorial service, or celebration of life, I am distressing for your loss. When there is a death in the family, the decease of a loved one, friend, or acquaintance, everyone comes together for a celebration of life. You may be wondering what is and what is non appropriate to wear. You lot might be request, exercise I wear black to a memorial service? While there are no definite rules and each celebration of life is different, it is most important to know what kind of grouping will exist in attendance.

I volition exist giving advice on what is near appropriate for a general celebration of life, based on society/culture/tradition in North America (particularly the Usa). It does not take into account all cultural and religious community. It is e'er best to enquire someone most what is expected if you are unsure, every bit every ceremony will differ.

The following communication presents standard, appropriate, and tasteful options for both women and girls based on my most recent feel attending a funeral.

Lighter colors can work well if used as a scarf or to offset dark clothing. — Lighter colors tin can work well if used as a scarf or to outset dark article of clothing.

Blake Cheek

What Colors Are Appropriate to Wear to a Funeral?


Black	Forest Green	Muted Gold
Brown	Gray	Muted Silver
Deep Blue	Maroon	Navy
Deep Purple	Muted Statuary

Inappropriate vs. Appropriate Colors

This advice is recommended based on customs in the United States. Colors are acceptable for accessories and accent pieces, but you'll want to use them conservatively if yous choose to. For instance, carmine flowers on a scarf or a yellow handkerchief in the pocket of a navy suit is acceptable. A white undershirt beneath a formal adjust is as well acceptable.

Colors to Avoid


Brilliant Blue	Pink
Bright Green	Red
Bright Purple	White
Orange	Yellow

You can make texture, patterns, and lace work, just do so tastefully. — Y'all can make texture, patterns, and lace work, just do so tastefully.

Patricia Palma; AO; University of Salford Printing Office, CC BY 2.0

Closed toed shoes are most appropriate, but you must also consider what type of weather you will be in. — Closed toed shoes are most appropriate, merely you must besides consider what type of weather y'all will exist in.

Leighann Renee; Andrew Tanglao; Ricky Liu; Konrad Hulak

A Guide for Women on Funeral Attire and Etiquette

This advice is not meant to imply anything about a women'south mode of clothes, but in general, people tend to dress conservatively at celebrations of life. Here are some general rules to follow:

Dresses and skirts should autumn beneath the knees or be a few inches higher up the knee.
Consider wearing sheer tights or pantyhose with a dress or skirt for formality.
Shoulders are appropriate in outdoor, warm weather, merely outfits should more often than not cover the shoulder and be sleeved. Strappy dresses are best worn with a coverup, shawl, or sweater.
Minimize low-cutting shirts or article of clothing a scarf to embrace your chest area.
If wearing a tight-plumbing fixtures outfit, brand certain that it is flattering and tasteful. A well-tailored outfit is fine so long as it is not meant to be sensual.

Capped and short-sleeved outfits are acceptable, especially for warmer climates. — Capped and curt-sleeved outfits are acceptable, especially for warmer climates.

Nadya Glo

Ringlet to Continue

Dressing Modestly Is a Sign of Respect

I am all for women dressing as they cull, but I do think in that location is something to exist said about dressing respectfully at a celebration of life. You lot tin can certainly wait good, simply practice consider the intent of your outfit. Just equally you wouldn't desire to out-apparel the bride at her wedding, you do not want to be the heart of attending. A memorial service is not the time to make a fashion argument.

Many people are mourning, and the whole betoken of dressing formally is to focus on the commemoration of life. I encourage y'all to "mute" your fun fashion tendencies if you like to stand out. You can stand out in subtle means—a pop of color, skillful pilus, or unique shoes.

Tin I Habiliment Sunglasses to a Funeral?

Yes. This has go quite mainstream. Many people are crying and emotional—some choose to hide their faces. This is totally adequate. At the most recent memorial I attended, several men wore sunglasses indoors and even gave speeches indoors wearing sunglasses. I think this tendency is becoming more than mainstream, merely making eye contact is authentic, so unless I'k outdoors, I won't wear sunglasses.

You can break up black with modest patterns. Dark prints work if paired with a dark-colored jacket and neutral or dark shoes. — You can break upward black with pocket-size patterns. Dark prints work if paired with a dark-colored jacket and neutral or night shoes.

MI PHAM

Color is ok so long as it's used tastefully. — Colour is ok so long as it'due south used tastefully.

Buri Trần

How Much Makeup Is Appropriate to Clothing to a Funeral?

There'southward no rule hither really. Although I wouldn't recommend showing up with a full face of makeup (you volition be crying and frequently the grieving family doesn't have time to glam), maybe wear makeup on your upper eyelids but avoid makeup on your lower lids in case yous start crying. Likewise, if the family is big on cheek kissing, y'all might want to pass on the bright red lipstick. Muted makeup tones are oftentimes more appropriate.

If you are in a circle of friends or with a family unit or group that delights in dressing upwardly—go for it. Maybe your circle of friends dresses upward in rockabilly style. Information technology'due south totally fine to cover this and practise your usual, only be sure to mind the color tones.

Don't go for a fashion statement, unless it's that type of crowd.

What Not to Wear to a Funeral

As demonstrated higher up, unless you are super close with the group of friends who are celebrating the life of a loved one, understand that anybody volition exist there—if you don't feel comfortable wearing it in front end of your boss or your grandparents, it is all-time not to wear it. Here's what to avoid:

Sexy attire
Style statements
Vibrant, lively colors
Gaudy attire (don't apparel like Wed from The Addams Family unit); too much lace and blackness and night makeup can actually be quite offensive (unless the deceased would capeesh your gesture).
Don't dress in the customary or traditional wear of the family unless you've received approval or confirmation that this is expected.

How to Human action: Be Present and Authentic

Remember that y'all are in that location to celebrate the life of a loved one. If you feel moved and need to weep, allow yourself to weep. A funeral and commemoration of life is not a time to hold annihilation dorsum. You are there to support others and exist supported yourself. This event is literally once in a lifetime, so show upwardly and exist nowadays. It's ok to grinning and laugh when engaging with others, simply do so subsequently the main ceremony. Most important of all: leave your cell phone at abode and silence it!