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Style & beauty

Funeral coat

(31 Posts)
RosiesMaw Thu 25-Jan-24 16:50:22

Do you have one?
I have various “subdued” wool coats but have reluctantly come to the conclusion that I need a black one.

Sadly too many elderly or not so elderly relatives and friends have died, there are too many funerals and being conservative most of those I have attended have been predominantly “black”.

MiniMoon Fri 26-Jan-24 00:29:01

Mine is a very dark purple wool coat. When I go to a funeral I accessorise with a black hat, gloves, boots and bag.

M0nica Thu 25-Jan-24 20:33:38

I have a beautiful dark grey coat, which I wear all the time, and wear to funerals. I also have a soberly patterned dress.

These days dressing in black from top to toe looks a bit overdone, certainly, unless you are a member of the immediate family.

Black is a colour that does not suite me as I have a pasty complexion and I do not want to be confused for the dear departed.

Tenko Thu 25-Jan-24 20:08:20

I have a long navy wool coat which I wear to funerals in the colder months . It was bought as a smart coat for a winter wedding in a church .
I feel that dark grey , navy and maroon/plum are acceptable for funerals .

flappergirl Thu 25-Jan-24 20:08:12

I haven't worn strictly black to a funeral for years and haven't seen the majority of other mourners doing so either. I would not wear bright colours unless it was requested though.

Grandmadinosaur Thu 25-Jan-24 20:07:13

Mine is a black M&S wool coat bought in a sale at a bargain price. Funnily enough whilst having a cull of my wardrobe the other day I looked at it and wondered whether to add to the pile but no it survived.

Serendipity22 Thu 25-Jan-24 19:51:56

I have a black jacket ( suit type ) I don't have a coat because a) some funerals may be in summer b) I feel more comfortable in a jacket.

I have been asked to wear bright colours to a couple of funerals. I have never felt more disrespectful, I don't know why, I mean it was the wishes if the deceased but I just didn't feel respectful turning up as if i was going to a shindig.....

cornergran Thu 25-Jan-24 19:49:32

I do have an ancient long black wool coat which still looks smart and above all fits. My usual formal funeral outfits however are grey or navy. Friends and family funerals have tended to have an any colour, relaxed dress code.

Bella23 Thu 25-Jan-24 19:47:53

I have a very dark navy with black buttons Jaguar before they went to M&S. When my aunt was buried it was a very cold day and I wore a very dark aubergine coat and black trousers.

tanith Thu 25-Jan-24 19:38:44

I have a black wool swing style coat it’s very old but looks new I do only wear it for funerals.

woodenspoon Thu 25-Jan-24 19:31:15

I wear a navy wool jacket from Jacques Vert with black trousers. I’ve also got a black padded long coat which I’d also wear. Having been to a few funerals in recent years, black is not the only colour worn. Grey and navy very acceptable I think.

Oopsadaisy1 Thu 25-Jan-24 19:25:34

I have a navy dress and navy coat for funerals, the dress is sleeveless so can be worn with a navy cardigan if the weather allows.

Georgesgran Thu 25-Jan-24 18:55:38

My black coat didn’t start off as a funeral coat either. It must be nearly 20 years old and bought in Harrogate when a designer outlet was closing. Although it has been to funerals, it’s also been to New York 3 times and is easily lifted by a bright pashmina and matching gloves.

fancythat Thu 25-Jan-24 18:47:35

Around here, it depends which geographical direction the funeral is in, as to how black.
On the whole, still very much predominately black.

Witzend Thu 25-Jan-24 18:42:03

The darkest coat I have is a decidedly scruffy Barbour type of thing.
I wore a camel coat to the last funeral we attended, in late December. Some people were all in black, but most weren’t. I don’t think it’s nearly so generally expected now, and I certainly wouldn’t buy a coat for the purpose.

fancythat Thu 25-Jan-24 18:41:50

I have various jackets/coats according to season and whether friend or family etc.
What I wear underneath does not change a great deal, but outerwear does.

silverlining48 Thu 25-Jan-24 18:39:08

I have only been to about 5 or 6 funerals in my life which included 3 parents. Tiny family and super fit friends. Long may that continue, so no I don’t have a black funeral coat but would imagine navy or shades of blue, or grey, maroon or even bright colours are acceptable. We wore my mums favourite colour at her funeral.

grannyactivist Thu 25-Jan-24 18:30:40

I have a particular black dress and two black coats that I wear as my funeral outfits and I also have several wedding outfits. I attend a lot of both, sometimes as officiant/speaker. I used to double up my wedding outfits for Christenings, but that’s not called for so much anymore.

Marydoll Thu 25-Jan-24 17:58:04

I have one, it doesn't quite close and a Phase Eight black dress.
It has never been worn and I couldn't find it in the summer, when I needed it. Turned out it was up the loft with the winter stuff.
I also have a smart black jacket and trousers. just in case.

Ladyleftfieldlover Thu 25-Jan-24 17:55:13

I had a Jaques Verts long black coat which I only wore for funerals and Remembrance Sunday. It bit the dust a year or so ago and I bought a black Phase Eight coat which I wore to my aunt’s funeral before Christmas. As someone pointed out, when you get to our age funerals are rather more abundant, sadly.

Shelflife Thu 25-Jan-24 17:46:00

I think the most important thing regarding funerals is to attend and show support and respect to the bereaved family and friends.

Ziplok Thu 25-Jan-24 17:43:26

I have a dark grey coat (looks almost black) which I have worn to funerals. However, it’s not just used for funerals as it can be brightened up with colourful accessories for other occasions, as Pantglas2 says about her dark green coat.

Parsley3 Thu 25-Jan-24 17:41:13

My black coat didn't start off as a funeral coat but sadly that is what it has become. At the last funeral I attended we were asked to wear bright colours and I was happy to do that.

Pantglas2 Thu 25-Jan-24 17:37:34

I’ve just passed my old M&S navy cashmere coat to my daughter Aldom - she’s used it a couple of times for funerals and I can always use it should the need arise.

My replacement is a very dark green one which sadly I’ve used twice for funerals this year. With black scarf, gloves and boots it serves its purpose but can be brightened considerably with lighter accessories for happier winter days.

eddiecat78 Thu 25-Jan-24 17:01:23

I think "subdued" would be perfectly acceptable unless black is actually requested - which isn't likely these days . I do have an old black coat that I'm hanging on to "just in case" but I wore a bright green blazer to my father's funeral

Aldom Thu 25-Jan-24 17:01:10

I have a classic, navy cashmere coat. I bought it in 1976. It is a long, straight style and doesn't date.