What to wear to a Funeral questions?

CorCentral

Banned
Feb 11, 2001
6,415
1
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I hope I'm not going to one any time soon, but I have questions.
If a family member of mine died........

Would it be frowned upon to wear nice black jeans and a decent shirt, or does one 100% have to wear some sort of suit and tie like everyone else??

Can you wear colors other than black?

Shoes? or can I go barefoot? J/K...... Do they have to be dress shoes?


Just give me your experiences. I've yet to go to a funeral and I've not a clue on anything other than what I've seen on tv :laugh:

 
Oct 9, 1999
19,632
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really depends on the people..

my family/cousins/etc would be cool with jeans and a nice shirt. i always wear a suit just because i like wearing them.

 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
The proper attire for a funeral is dark suit, white long sleeved button down shirt, dark neutral colored tie, black dress shoes, and matching belt and socks.

Seriously, man... black jeans to a funeral? Only if he was a Hell's Angels member :)
 

middlehead

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2004
4,573
2
81
I wouldn't go down to jeans, but a suit isn't necessarily required. Before I finally bought a suit I would just wear a black pair of Haggar pants, either a white button down or the darkest and least shiny one I could find, and a black tie.
 

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,972
1,682
126
traditionally, black suits and tie are standard...but it really depends...

a co-worker passed recently who was always known for dressing casually...she was known for her hawaiian shirts, shorts and sandals, so the family specifically requested that everyone wear that...some people still showed in black suits/dresses though...
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,256
406
126
It really depends on the people attending it and your relation to the deceased. Both factors influence whether you'd wear blue jeans and a t-shirt or a full suit.
 

gotsmack

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2001
5,768
0
71
Originally posted by: Savij
Originally posted by: gotsmack
suits are only for happy occasions

Like going to work.

you should try to have a good time at work. even if you don;t really like the work itself.

anyway, my previous statement was from "How I Met Your Mother"
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,967
34,167
136
Since I only have one suit, and I have it because I had to attend a funeral, I'll have to say - wear a suit. However, black is not required. Avoid the Herb Tarlick look but other than that, most any suit will do. Never got any complaints from the guest of honor. Don't bring your dog.*








Cookie to first poster to give the source of that advice for funerals.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
A suit is nice, but whatever you have is good enough. It's not a fashion show - it's a show of support. I don't have to be wearing Armeni to show someone that I care.
 

ICRS

Banned
Apr 20, 2008
1,328
0
0
In most Asian cultures you would wear all white to a funeral as white is the color of death.
 

PELarson

Platinum Member
Mar 27, 2001
2,289
0
0
Originally posted by: CorCentral
I hope I'm not going to one any time soon, but I have questions.
If a family member of mine died........

Would it be frowned upon to wear nice black jeans and a decent shirt, or does one 100% have to wear some sort of suit and tie like everyone else??

Can you wear colors other than black?

Shoes? or can I go barefoot? J/K...... Do they have to be dress shoes?


Just give me your experiences. I've yet to go to a funeral and I've not a clue on anything other than what I've seen on tv :laugh:

Somber.

IIRC... for my fathers memorial services, two different venues, it was gray slacks, white shirt and a black sweater.
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
Originally posted by: gotsmack
Originally posted by: Savij
Originally posted by: gotsmack
suits are only for happy occasions

Like going to work.

you should try to have a good time at work. even if you don;t really like the work itself.

anyway, my previous statement was from "How I Met Your Mother"

Somebody actually watches that show?
 

gotsmack

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2001
5,768
0
71
Originally posted by: Bignate603
Originally posted by: gotsmack
Originally posted by: Savij
Originally posted by: gotsmack
suits are only for happy occasions

Like going to work.

you should try to have a good time at work. even if you don;t really like the work itself.

anyway, my previous statement was from "How I Met Your Mother"

Somebody actually watches that show?

yes, and it's an awesome show.
 

JC86

Senior member
Jan 18, 2007
694
0
0
I always wear black suit, shoes, socks with white shirt and silver or dark colored tie. I think it really depends on the culture of the deceased. For example, it's a big faux pas to wear red to Chinese funerals.
 

GiggleGirl

Golden Member
Apr 18, 2008
1,607
0
0
dress pants would work just fine. go to Structure or Gap in the mall and find a pair of dress pants. black or dark grey is best. wear a button down dress shirt (one with a collar) and find a standard tie. dress shoes would also be nice. no sneakers! thats just rude! lol
 

QTPie

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2001
1,813
1
81
A black or dark suit is highly recommended.
For "casual" wear, a pair of black or dark pants, and a solid neutral or dark long sleeve with collar shirt will do.

BIG NO NO: jeans, (warm-up) sport pants, sneakers
 

ICRS

Banned
Apr 20, 2008
1,328
0
0
Originally posted by: JC86
I always wear black suit, shoes, socks with white shirt and silver or dark colored tie. I think it really depends on the culture of the deceased. For example, it's a big faux pas to wear red to Chinese funerals.

From the chinese I know, they say you are suppose to wear all white to a funeral.