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What to wear to a funeral

(56 Posts)
Mazgg Wed 31-Dec-25 18:02:56

My dsil's Mum died at the weekend and I will be attending the funeral next week. I haven't got a black winter coat and don't really want to buy one. Would it be appropriate to wear a dark purple (not at all bright) wool coat with black trousers, and black scarf and gloves?

M0nica Sun 11-Jan-26 13:18:03

Biscuitmuncher

A friend of ours went to a funeral, people were in tracksuits. He said it was like an episode of shameless

Perhaps that was all they could afford to wear. Death comes to the poor as assuredly as it comes to the rich.

Biscuitmuncher Wed 07-Jan-26 23:43:53

LOUISA1523 I think the fighting at the funeral marked it as not a pleasant event either

V3ra Mon 05-Jan-26 20:06:03

I have a funeral of a young woman this week and she requested that everyone wear bright and colourful colours to her funeral.

Icandoit my mother-in-law's funeral is next week and she has left written instructions for the same.
She had macular degeneration and couldn't "see" black, but could see bright colours so has asked that that's what we wear.

LOUISA1523 Mon 05-Jan-26 19:05:26

Biscuitmuncher

A friend of ours went to a funeral, people were in tracksuits. He said it was like an episode of shameless

But does it matter?

Biscuitmuncher Mon 05-Jan-26 16:01:17

A friend of ours went to a funeral, people were in tracksuits. He said it was like an episode of shameless

Esmay Mon 05-Jan-26 14:52:48

Purple used to be a mourning colour after black.
There used to be used funeral emporiums in London -funeral wear was very elaborate.
I think that the huge death toll during the First World caused the demise of funeral wear.
I wore a floral frock to a funeral as flowery prints had been requested.
I think that dark colours are fine .
The only time that I thought that someone was inappropriate at a funeral was the time that a cousin wearing bright canary yellow was sceaming with laughter outside the church some thirty years ago .

Aveline Mon 05-Jan-26 14:40:34

I have a very dark green Geiger jacket that I wear over a black polo neck jumper and black trousers. It always seem appropriate for funerals. We once had to wear 'a touch of yellow' and, luckily, I had a long forgotten yellow blouse.

M0nica Mon 05-Jan-26 14:35:13

What about a bright scarf or knitted hat.

I bought a lovely raspberry pink sweater in Next this weekend. I could lend you that !!!

Icandoit Mon 05-Jan-26 14:00:18

I have the opposite problem I'm afraid. I have a funeral of a young woman this week and she requested that everyone wear bright and colourful colours to her funeral. Not done this before and tbh the season and of course the weather does not really lend itself to bright and colourful. Not sure what I'm going to do as I don't want to go against her wishes.

DaisyLa Mon 05-Jan-26 09:38:38

I went to a funeral yesterday and it was so cold that half of the congregation were wearing woolly hats, winter boots and their warmest coats of every colour just to try and keep warm. Really don't think it matters unless the family have any specific wishes.

DrWatson Mon 05-Jan-26 02:52:13

Had yet another funeral to attend recently, the Vicar had some purple about her outfir, so seems acceptable?!

Sandrax Sun 04-Jan-26 22:21:18

My husband said "Don't wear black for me" so I wore a dark red dress he liked at his funeral.

Mamar2 Sun 04-Jan-26 22:07:03

Role ..... so true. I wore a red jacket to an Aunt's funeral & my lovely Dad's funeral. Who'se going to come to you to complain about what you wore? Times change. You can still respect & wear colour.

Elrel Sun 04-Jan-26 22:07:02

At a funeral for a young man the dresscode requested by his family was the colours of the football team he supported. The service was sensitively led by the club chaplain, the chapel seats had appropriate drapes, the pall bearers and many of the mourners wore supporters’ shirts. A very touching funeral.

Role Sun 04-Jan-26 21:18:21

Turning up is what counts.

Suzieque66 Sun 04-Jan-26 20:58:29

That sounds just great ... as long as you dont wear an orange anorak ! ... very suitable ...

Nanny27 Sun 04-Jan-26 19:53:10

I seem to have been to far too many funerals in the last couple of years. I definitely think that very few funerals require mourners to wear black these days.
As others have said many people feel more comfortable in darker colours but lots wear whatever they like unless the family have particular colour requests. My sister wore a bright red dress to our mum’s funeral

Babamaman Sun 04-Jan-26 19:43:57

Purple is totally acceptable for a funeral
In some countries it is White! The funeral colour!

Sarahr Sun 04-Jan-26 19:12:23

That sounds perfect. At my Godmother's funeral the ladies wore something red and the gents blue. Godmother's favourite colours.

Dianehillbilly1957 Sun 04-Jan-26 19:00:20

Sounds absolutely fine, I wore a long light grey coat to a funeral last month. As long as you're dressed respectively it's also that you've made the effort to and have turned up.

Azalea99 Sun 04-Jan-26 17:56:15

I agree with other contributors, particularly regarding purple, but for me @Bazza’s point is the most important.

Cath9 Sun 04-Jan-26 17:54:09

Black trousers and scarf would be fine.
As many pointed out that today it is not important what you wear as long as you have something of a dark colour or grey.

Bazza Sun 04-Jan-26 17:39:43

Isn’t it more important to make the effort to show up at a funeral rather than what you wear? Within reason of course!

Grantanow Sun 04-Jan-26 14:07:55

Black was traditional but increasingly other colours are acceptable.

Jojo1950 Sun 04-Jan-26 14:02:35

Yes.