A special note to teenagers or young adults: You live in a very casual world where jeans and casual shirts are appropriate in most settings. A funeral is not one of those. If this is your first time attending a service, talk to your parents or a trusted friend to help you select what to wear. This is the kindest way to show the family you care.
Depending on where the service is held and the wishes of the family, services today vary widely. Regardless, there are some common guidelines to know:. Here are some simple suggestions:.
Most families can relate head-shaking stories of inappropriate comments made following a death—many of them well intended but offensive. Here is what to avoid:. What to wear to a funeral or memorial service The appropriate attire for a funeral or memorial service is simple: dress to show respect for the person whose life you are remembering.
What to expect at a funeral or memorial service Depending on where the service is held and the wishes of the family, services today vary widely. Regardless, there are some common guidelines to know: A guestbook will be outside the service for you to sign. Please do sign it and make your signature legible — the family will treasure reviewing the names of those who attend, and this will be the best way for them to remember you were there.
Be on time or early. It is rude to enter a service after it has started. If you are late, enter from one side and be seated as unobtrusively as possible. So how do you know the appropriate funeral attire? Here are 5 things to consider and some general advice to follow when deciding what to wear to a funeral or memorial service. Has the family said anything about clothing? This should be your first consideration. More often than not, nothing is said about what to wear to the funeral or service, but if they give some guidance, take it!
I have heard of people requesting that funeral-goers wear clothing with bright colors or patterns to honor the bright life of the departed. If you are a close family member of the deceased, you may decide to wear something that honors them or their wishes. The close family sets the tone for the service. If you are not close family, avoid wearing something that could be controversial—opt for the more conservative choice. When you are choosing what to wear, consider whether it will be appropriate and comfortable for the graveside service, if there is one.
However, dark, unembellished jeans paired with a shirt, tie, and blazer for men or a blouse and a blazer for women can be appropriate for a casual service. Honoring the life of the decedent and showing your support for their family is the most important aspect of funeral attendance.
For other questions about funeral etiquette or for help determining how to celebrate the life of a loved one, visit us at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery today. Our team is standing by. Categories: Funeral , Information , Tips. Your email address will not be published.
By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Some people dress up when attending religious ceremonies, which means that some people tend to wear more formal clothes at a funeral. Tip: Choosing funeral attire is just one of many complex tasks you might be facing after losing a loved one. For a little help with the entire process of saying goodbye, check out our post-loss checklist. In some communities, jeans are considered formal enough attire to wear to a funeral.
You have already seen your friends, family, and neighbors wear jeans, and you know that this informal dress is acceptable or even encouraged. If you attend a funeral outside your community or for a friend or acquaintance who you did not know exceptionally well, avoid wearing jeans. You may feel strange if you are the only person in the room dressed in denim!
Wearing your best is a sign of respect in some communities and cultures. It shows that you respect the deceased, the religious building or institution, and the mourning family members. But what if, by some circumstance, you only have jeans to wear to a funeral?
Does that mean that you shouldn't go? If you are worried about being the only one in attendance wearing jeans, you may consider going to the visitation or viewing since these are sometimes less formal events. Virtual funeral tip: The same rules for funeral attire apply to virtual funerals. If the funeral is taking place over Zoom using a service like GatheringUs , make sure you still dress appropriately from head to toe. The same rules apply for black jeans as they do for blue denim jeans.
If you know that jeans are okay to wear in your community, that means black jeans are as well. If you question whether it would be appropriate, it's best to find a dressier alternative. Usually, you know about an upcoming funeral several days before it happens.
This means that you probably have time to find an alternative to jeans. Instead of jeans, consider wearing a suit, dress pants with a shirt and tie, business casual clothes, a dress, skirt, and blouse, or another more formal combination. Avoid athletic shoes, flip flops, t-shirts, sports jerseys, and leggings.
0コメント