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How To Dress for a Funeral
Kevin Bean • July 29, 2024
First, understand that what you wear to the funeral is much less important than actually going to the funeral or gathering. Don’t underestimate the value of your presence.
Your kind words, shared stories, or even just a hug will mean a great deal to friends and family when there has been a death. Don’t let not having a pair of dress shoes keep you from offering your support.
That being said, what you wear depends on several different factors. The first thing to consider is who died.
If your 80-year-old grandfather passed, the funeral is likely to be more traditional. His older friends will attend, so you will want to be more conservative.
A pair of slacks and a collared shirt for men and boys will do nicely. If you own a sport coat, by all means wear it. A tie with or without the jacket would be a nice, but not a required, addition.
For the ladies and girls, dress slacks and a nice sweater or blouse will serve the purpose. A dress or skirt would also be lovely. Do pay attention to necklines and length of the skirt.
When the funeral is for a younger person or will not be faith based, it may be more informal.
A celebration of life is typically more relaxed and may even have a theme that the family will ask attendees to support. So if you’re asked to wear golf attire to the funeral of an avid golfer, don’t be surprised.
Like the dress code for most events today, what we wear to a funeral has relaxed. Black is no longer required, but neat, clean, and subdued are always in good taste.
A funeral is not a place to stand out or be the center of attention. As you survey your wardrobe, think in terms of what you would wear to an important job interview or something you would want to wear to apply in person for a bank loan.
Two decades back, roughly a quarter of the families I assisted opted for cremation. Now, that figure hovers around fifty percent. The Cremation Association of North America indicates that, across the country, cremation is now the choice in almost 60% of cases. This evolution mirrors a broader transformation in how we view death and memorialization. Increasingly, families are discovering that cremation suits their needs, whether driven by environmental concerns, budgetary constraints, the desire for more flexible memorial options, or just their own personal choices. Yet, this rise in popularity has also sparked a number of questions. Many families, when faced with cremation for the first time, find themselves uncertain about the specifics. They seek clarity on the procedure, the timeframe, and how to guarantee their loved one's respectful treatment throughout. These are entirely reasonable concerns, and I'm pleased to see families seeking answers. Allow me to share insights gleaned from my forty years in this field.
Last month, I helped a family plan a service for a man whose greatest passion was fishing. Instead of traditional flower arrangements, we placed tackle boxes on every table. The guest book was a fishing journal where people shared their favorite memories of trips with him. His grandsons wore their fishing vests as they spoke about what Grandpa taught them on the lake. It was perfect—because it was him. That's what a celebration of life can be when it's guided by someone trained to capture who a person really was. And increasingly, that "someone" is a certified celebrant. If you've never heard that term, you're not alone. When families come to us at Bean Funeral Homes, many don't realize this option exists. But once they understand what a celebrant does, they often find it's exactly what they've been looking for.
Say goodbye with love and care. Our comforting cremation services help families create peaceful, heartfelt farewells that honor cherished memories.
Today, there was a funeral. People cried. Tissues were crumpled and left on the tables. Flower petals fell to the floor. Now, the cleaning staff is making things tidy for the family who will be here tomorrow.
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Honor your loved one with dignity. Our trusted funeral home services provide compassionate support and meaningful farewells with care and respect.
Honor your loved ones with heartfelt cremation and memorial events. Celebrate their life with meaningful gatherings and cherished memories.
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