What to wear to a funeral - smart and practical outfit solutions

Choosing what to wear to a funeral can feel challenging. It's already an emotional time, and the occasion can be overwhelming itself, so the last thing you need is added stress over your outfit. This handy guide is here to help.

Finding something suitable for a funeral can be difficult for many reasons; it needs to be both respectful and appropriate while ensuring it's comfortable for all-day wear. The best approach is to keep it simple and to opt for classic pieces that are smart and practical, and that you can rewear at a later date.

While figuring out what to wear a funeral, it’s always worth looking through your existing winter capsule wardrobe first, as you will most likely already own some smarter pieces, and it will save you buying anything new. Steer clear of statement-making clothing or anything too flamboyant, and opt for simple and stylish staples like a tailored blazer, a midi dress or a smart pair of trousers, that can easily be teamed up with a blouse or the best wool jumpers.

If you don’t have many black pieces or rarely wear the shade - don’t panic! Just one or two hero buys is all you’ll need, and they can easily be worn with crisp white or powder grey separates that will give them an even smarter spin. We recommend looking for pieces that can also be restyled again, to get plenty of extra wear in future.

What to wear to a funeral - 7 outfit ideas

Not sure where to start? We understand that worrying about clothing is the last thing you need right now, so we have rounded up some fail-safe options to wear to a funeral that will look respectful while being easy to wear. Whether you want a simple midi dress, a flattering jumpsuit or a swishy skirt, we have picked the best options below.

1. Blazer

Invest in a well-cut black blazer and it will more than earn its keep in your wardrobe. Funerals require a smart outfit, and the tailored shape of a blazer more than fits the brief. Great for days when it’s not cold enough for your winter coat, a blazer is a smart and stylish layering piece without being heavy or bulky to wear. It is a good way to temper a dress with a little colour in it too (like a subtle floral print) making sure your overall look is still overwhelmingly black. You'll find great blazers from all the best British clothing brands, but we have taken the hassle out of your search with the below buys.

2. Midi dress

A fashion fail safe for a funeral, is a simple black midi dress that will feel both smart and modest. As well as being easy to wear, the longer hemline of the best midi dresses will reduce the chance of a wardrobe malfunction and will save any worries about separates riding-up or becoming untucked. Simply add some cosy, smart tights from high-street favourites like H&M, or take a look at Heist, Next, or M&S.

A dress with three-quarter-length sleeves will work for funerals in all seasons.

3. Skirt

A skirt has all the benefits of midi or below-the-knee dresses when it comes to dressing for a funeral, with the option to mix and match with different tops. A shirt or wrap-over blazer makes for a smart top half, while a jumper will give a slightly more relaxed feel. There are plenty of choices when it comes to the shape of the skirt you choose too.

An A-line will flare out from the waist and skim over hips and midriffs - ideal if you feel a little tummy conscious. A pencil skirt shape, however, is more form-fitting, but still just as smart. Just make sure you’re comfortable and can sit and stand with ease.

4. Jumpsuit

A jumpsuit takes all the hard work out of creating an outfit as you'll be ready to leave the house with just one do-it-all piece. Depending on the kind of service you are attending, a funeral may involve a mixture of standing, sitting, and kneeling. There may also be elderly relatives or children that need assistance. In these scenarios, the all-in-one shape of a flattering jumpsuit has a one up on the midi dress, reducing the risk of a hemline mishap.

5. Tailored trousers

Feel more comfortable in trousers than a skirt? No problem. A smartly tailored pair of black trousers - both slim fits and wide legs will work really well for a funeral - teamed with a smart jacket or shirt and can be worn again at a later date. Steer clear of fabrics with high linen or cotton counts, as both can crease easily, and look for full length or ankle skimming cropped styles for the chicest feel.

6. Knitwear

Funerals often mean moving between at least two different locations during the day, so layers are key to ensure you feel cool and comfortable in all scenarios. Consider taking one of the best wool jumpers or cardigan with you. A piece of knitwear can be used to cover your shoulders during the service or act as an extra layer of warmth if standing outside.

Whether you opt for a jumper or a fitted turtleneck, a lightweight knit can be tucked it into your skirt or trousers to keep you warm, without compromising on style.

7. Smart coat

When it comes to what to wear to a funeral, we often put a lot of consideration into the main elements of our outfits, only to approach outerwear as an afterthought.

A black coat that ends just below the knee, or mid-calf, is the most timeless shape. Detailing like subtle embroidery, wide lapels or a belted waist will add a point of difference. You also never know when you may need a smart coat, and it is guaranteed to come in handy on multiple occasions. The best winter coats can be worn for this occasion too.

FAQs

What to consider when choosing an outfit for a funeral

What you decide to wear funeral is all down to your own personal style but there are some practical things to think about beforehand. We would always suggest taking a jacket or a coat with your keep cosy. When it comes to the best winter accessories, look for a bag that is easy to carry while being roomy enough to carry tissues for any tears, as well as makeup for later touch-ups, and all your daily essentials. Understated, and simple jewellery will finish your look perfectly too – look for plainer stud earrings or a simple pearly necklace that will have a classic and chic feel without being OTT.

What shoes should you wear to a funeral?

We asked Deputy Fashion Editor, Charlie Bell for tips on finding the perfect footnote for a funeral and she gave us some excellent advice –

“When choosing what shoes to wear to a funeral, comfort is key as you're likely to be on your feet all day. Keep it simple and classic, a mule or court shoe with a low block or kitten heel. Avoid colour - unless specifically requested - and stick to neutrals such as black, cream or tan, something understated that doesn't command attention. It's fine to wear flats such as a sleek loafer or delicate ballet pump but best to steer clear of trainers or anything too casual."

What should you avoid wearing to a funeral?

Dressing smartly is a sign of respect at a funeral, so avoid anything that could be considered too casual. We are firm believers in wearing whatever you want to wear, but for a funeral it might be best to dodge anything too revealing or shorter skirt lengths, and stick to more reserved styles that will have a respectful and considered feel. We would suggest leaving jeans, trainers and anything very casual at home, and opting for smarter basics. Unless the family have requested otherwise, we would always suggest avoiding bright colour too – plain and simple black pieces are always the most safe bet.

What to wear to a 'no black allowed' funeral

It is becoming more and more common for people to request a colourful funeral dress code. A lovely way to bring a positive atmosphere to the ceremony, you may find a lot of invites specifically ask that you do not wear black. But don't panic, choosing a colourful funeral outfit is actually much simpler than it seems.

We recommend sticking to the timeless funeral outfit silhouettes outlined above (blazer, dress, skirt, jumpsuit, trousers, knitwear, or coat), but ask yourself what colour suits me, and what do I feel good in? As long as you're wearing a smart silhouette, the hue you go for isn't too important. Take inspiration from the shapes and cuts in the products we've selected and have a look for similar styles in different shades.

However, we would recommend steering clear of any neon colours, very bold patterns, or graphic prints. This is because they will make your outfit feel significantly less formal, and it is still important to dress respectfully even if not in all black. If you don't feel comfortable wearing a bright colour or you tend to stick to neutrals, opt for a colour like camel or cream. Whilst still minimalist and easy to style, these shades are also warm and make for a smart and versatile alternative to black.

Why do we wear black to a funeral?

Ever wondered why we wear black to funerals? Mourners have worn the dark hue for funerals as far back as the Roman times, but it became much more popular after Queen Victoria wore only black after her husband, Prince Albert passed away. The Royal chose to wear black every day for over 40 years, so it quickly became the go-to for people wanting to pay their respects.

Charlie Bell

Charlie is the Deputy Fashion Editor at Future plc across multiple women’s magazines including Woman & Home, Woman and Woman's Own.She bagged her first magazine job in 2009 and has previously written for titles including Stylist, Closer and Dare. Over the years Charlie has embraced anything that was thrown at her from styling celebrities to testing out the best jeans on the high street to writing about must-have beauty buys.With a weakness for a printed midi dress, Charlie is on a mission to shop more sustainably and loves finding new ethical brands and second-hand buys.