Dressing for a funeral is not as easy as it seems. The term "funeral" itself can be vague, and you may not want to dress the dead like a "funny" Halloween character. That's because today's funeral attire has evolved into the most elegant of fashions. When a friend or relative is in attendance for a funeral, there are some things to remember to make sure you're dressing for a funeral is as appropriate as possible.
It's not uncommon for family members to dress nicer than usual at a funeral. This often depends on whether the body is being viewed by many people or just one person. If the body is being viewed by many, it's expected that the family will dress more formally. Funeral etiquette for family members reading a eulogy is to wear clothing that is sensible and conservative, such as a business suit with a necktie. If you are attending as a guest, you are not expected to dress like a "Hollywood star".
It's also important to remember that just because you're a guest in funerals doesn't mean that your clothing will make no difference. You still shouldn't wear low cut shirts, corsets, pants that are too tight around the midsection, or something that show too much skin.
Funeral clothing can be either very formal or casual. Despite your importance, you should still follow follow proper funeral etiquette and be respectful. Remember to address the deceased by his or her last name, use the proper etiquette when speaking to members of the immediate family (including children), and avoid using any inappropriate humor.
If there’s one piece of advice that can be taken away from this blog post about what to wear to a funeral, it’s this: be sensitive to the families preferences and respect their wishes when it comes to planning your outfit. Below we have provided some do’s and don’ts and tips for dressing for a funeral and how they differ when it comes to dressing for a celebration of life or memorial service, or visitation.