Funeral clothes

For anyone else worrying, I went in the end, in my mid grey trousers and a grey patterned silky top with a black jacket with me. I wore the jacket in the crem but it was far too hot so I removed it when we came out. I needn’t have worried, there was all sorts of combinations of colours, predominantly black and white or a mixture of those. No one looked wrong, no one was bothered. As others have said, navy would have been fine. There were a couple I thought took casualness too far - trousers and a t shirt such I’d wear in the house but there you are. Lots of men in just a shirt, no jacket. It’s changed, along with so much more. Thanks for your advice.

Sounds like you got it exactly right!
I loved hearing about nannarose's attendance at the funeral of a young friend - come dressed as you knew him. Lovely idea. I'm sure it gave a lot of people a lot of pleasure remembering him and talking about him in all the places people knew him.

I have a navy trouser suit which seems to have become my 'funeral outfit' - on a hot summer day with a crisp white shirt and navy beads (no jacket); in deepest winter same trousers with tights under, a dark jumper under the jacket and a scarf;
all.other times with smart top of subdued colour and the jacket! Sadly my fun eral suit seems to be worn fairly frequently these days.

I prefer to wear navy as I look awful in black so don't own any black clothes.

The last time I went to a funeral I was the only person wearing black and I barely knew the man. I went because the executors wanted to meet me immediately after the funeral to talk about the estate and it seemed to be assumed that I would go as I had arranged it.
As long as you are not wearing shocking pink with orange earrings you should be ok.
I agree with annep. Respectful is all that is required nowadays.

How about cream smart trousers, and according to the weather, a navy top under either a navy jacket or navy light cardigan. This can look understated, yet smart and appropriate.

The last funeral I went to I wore light grey trousers, a midnight blue silky blouse and a cream and blue wrap. I felt cool and comfortable.

I’m glad your choice of clothing was just right. I recently went to a funeral of a well known local person. The mourners all wore black, except the family. I wish they had let everyone know that colours were acceptable as we all felt a little silly.

We’ve a very traditional family funeral to go to on Friday. I’m sorted, back and cream skirt and cream top. The men are dithering over jackets, I do feel for them, no way I’m wearing one.

Agree with your husband. Wear what you feel comfortable in.
Its a funeral, not a fashion parade.

I always wear all black for a funeral, for me, it’s a mark of respect. I have winter black clothes and summer black clothes. I don’t think it matters if others choose not wear black, it’s just my personal choice. So I would say wear whatever you feel is right for the occasion, whether that is all black, other muted colours (brown/navy) or something more colourful such as has been suggested, ie dark skirt or trousers and pale top.
I don’t really like vibrant colours for a funeral, but I believe some people ask for mourners to wear colourful clothes. If that were the case, I’d wear a colourful scarf or pashmina over more muted clothes, I couldn’t bring myself to wear all very vibrant colours I’m afraid.

I wore navy blue at an elderly aunts funeral last month. I felt it was respectful.

The wishes of a friend who recently died was that NOONE was to wear black or purple but instead something bright and colourful. It was a wonderful funeral that really celebrated her life.
This was not the first time bright clothes have been suggested. The family of another friend some time ago said the same and I must say initially I felt awkward about wearing something bright - but it lifted the occasion to a positive level.
I'd like something similar for my funeral. Although sad I believe it should be a celebration of life.

When my DF died 40 years ago he had requested "no black to be worn". As his funeral was just after New Year in Lancashire trying to find light coloured coat/jacket was difficult but we all stuck by his wishes.

I have a pair of lightweight black trousers & blouses in various colours also two light coloured summer jackets. Men often wear shirt & tie but no jacket in summer. Respectful is the way to go.

I want people to wear a least one item of red clothing at my funeral.

Black is respectful and also flattering. You won't look like a crow. However, a funeral is not about the attendees.

I have my "funeral suit" of black skirt and jacket which I wear, either with a short sleeved white lightly spotted blouse or a short sleeved black and white check blouse. This has always passed muster, even when invited to a funeral where no black had been requested but not passed on to me! The outfit looks like smart office gear. By the way this suit is from a Debenhams Classic range, many years ago!

I have a black and white floral pattern skirt which comes out for every funeral, worn with a white top. I never wear the skirt at any other time, but I won't part with it as it does the job, without being gloomy.
My Mum told me that she wanted bright colours when her time came, and I told everyone, so it was a cheerful celebration of a bubbly respected lady, and I wore red which was her favourite colour.

Thank you for the reminder to write down somewhere that no one is to wear more than one black garment and preferably none at my funeral. Oh dear, that sounds as though I am advocating a naturist funeral, but you know what I mean.?

Navy?

Maybe just go mainly in black but with a splash or two of colour. Bright scarf and handbag perhaps.

The important thing is that you attend the funeral to show your respect, not what you are wearing.

Nanarose I love the idea of wearing what you would usually wear with the person. I bet that funeral was a lovely send off. I lost my lovely hippy sister suddenly last week and am having the same quandary about what to wear, but since I'm also a bit of an old hippy I shall find something.

I always choose to wear all black. To me it feels respectful. I have a smart black dress which I wear with black tights and black pumps and a black jacket. In the winter I wear a black jumper and smart black trousers and a black 3/4 coat. However I don't know what I would wear on a very hot day?

I was at two funerals last week and it was very hot and humid. I agonised for ages about what to wear.
I eventually wore a black and white floral dress, unworn in my wardrobe and cost £5 at the end of the summer on the clearance rail) and most ladies were wearing white tops and black skirts or trousers.

I wore a navy dress at my husband's funeral. Most if the men wore black trousers and a black short sleeved shirt untucked as that's all that my husband wore when he went out anywhere.