Funeral Planning: What to Wear to a Loved One’s Service
It may seem like a simple thing to choose what to wear to a funeral, but that’s not always the case. Is wearing black still appropriate? Are casual clothes all right, or should they be more formal? These are just some of the questions that may come up when deciding what to wear for a loved one’s service. If you want to avoid any worries, we have some guidelines that can make the process easier.
Black or Not?
Black is always a sedate and respectful color to wear to a funeral service. It is a classic look that will always be welcomed. It is, however, important to know what kind of funeral service your loved one will have. If it is more a celebration of life instead of a mourning of their passing, you may want to skip black and go for something a bit brighter. The same thing applies if the funeral service will be somewhere besides a funeral home. Be sure to ask other people going to the service to get a sense of what they are choosing.
Religious Settings
If the funeral service will be held at any kind of religious setting, it can be a good idea to dress a bit on the conservative side. This can mean, for women, no bare shoulders or low-cut outfits, and for men, it can mean wearing a jacket and tie. Even if you are not a follower of that faith, it shows respect for the deceased. Depending on the faith, there may be special items to wear, like hats or other things, so be sure to have an idea of what to expect before deciding on an outfit for the funeral or memorial service.
What About Shoes?
When it comes to footwear, you do want to stick to more conservative options as well. Do not wear flip flops or sneakers and even if the funeral is outdoors, wear a nice pair of shoes. For women, heels are fine, but try not to make them very high so that you do not pull away attention from the deceased. For men, do not wear athletic shoes, since these can seem disrespectful in this setting. If you are not sure about what the appropriate footwear is for a funeral, a Delmar, NY funeral home can provide some suggestions.
A good rule of thumb when deciding what to wear for a funeral is to not draw attention to yourself. You want everyone to be focused on your deceased loved one. Try not to wear anything too bright or colorful, or something too revealing or casual. Although black is classic, other sedate colors like blue and dark green are appropriate too. As always, if you have questions, speak with experts at a funeral home. Contact McVeigh Funeral Home, Inc., located at 208 N Allen St, Albany, NY 12206 to learn more about this. Call them at (518) 489-0188.
