Funeral attire

[flutterbee]

This may seem like a silly question, but I have no experience with this. My family doesn't do funerals. It's not that we don't go to them, it's that our family doesn't have them - except for my grandfather. I've only attended one funeral and that was when I was heavily pregnant with PC.

I don't have anything that would resemble proper funeral attire. I have 2 pair of denim jeans that fit and some tops and sweaters. The jeans are decorated - one with a beaded floral pattern and one with dragonflies. I have no skirts that fit. Really not appropriate for a funeral.

I don't have much money and I would like to attend my neighbor's funeral. My mom insists that what I have would be fine to wear, but I'm not so sure. Our families take on funerals is much less formal and is considered a celebration of the life of the deceased. I do know that Bob and his family are very down to earth and don't put on airs, but....

Should I go to goodwill and try to find something a bit more 'appropriate'?

[Jena]

Honestly, it all depends on the person. Me, personally i'd wear whatever i wanted, you taking the time to be there and pay your respects, that they'll appreciate i'm sure. Id' probably just pick a top out that is darker, more blah type of shirt to mix with the jeans.

Yea, id' def go with what you have, they'll be thankful you went.

[Hound dog]

Heather, I'd pick a nice top and pair of slacks or jeans. My family has never held to the "black" tradition. Actually, I've been to alot of funerals and have yet to see anyone who still does. Something tasteful is fine. Dressing up is not really required.

I'm sorry to hear your neighbor passed on.

((hugs))

[gcvmom]

Well, I wouldn't wear a prom dress to a funeral... you just wear whatever you own and don't over-do it. You're there to lend support to the family, so that's what really matters.

[Andy]

I am sorry to hear about your friend. I think whatever you have at home will be fine. I have not noticed any special dress codes at funerals.

His family will be comforted to hear how helpful he had been to you.

[donna723]

I can tell you honestly ... my mother died many years ago, and I can still tell you every person that was there, every single one that cared enough to show up and offer their comfort and support. I can even remember what some of them said to me. But I couldn't even begin to tell you what any of them were wearing! It wasn't important - it just was important to me that they were there!

Just wear something tasteful and show up! They'll appreciate that you cared enough to be there.

[trinityroyal]

Heather, I agree with the others.
Your being there to show support to the family is WAY more important than what you're wearing while you do so.

The only reason I remember what people wore to my favourite uncle's funeral several years ago is that he requested everyone where royal blue, his favourite colour. Otherwise, though I've been to several I've never really noticed.

[Marguerite]

I wasn't sure how to answer this because there could be cultural differences between Australia and the Us, but from other people's responses it doesn't seem so. I mean, our only experience with what is the 'norm' in the US for funerals, is what we see in movies and soaps. And there, everyone wears designer black, unrelieved by any colour or even a flash of white.

In China, white is the colour of mourning.

In Australia we might try to wear black, but if we haven't got anything black we simply try for something subdued and not too casual. I've worn dark green, magenta, grey, navy - actually navy blue can be a good compromise. But if you have no choice but to wear bright colours, then tell anyone who is scandalised that you are wearing it as a tribute to the colourful personality and love of life of the deceased person; they wouldn't have wanted everyone to be drab and dull, they would have said, "celebrate!"

The only disadvantage to wearing really bright colours - you could stand out a bit. But if you're OK with this, then wear what you feel comfortable with, whatever your neighbour liked to see you in. And the rest of the mob can go hang.

Sorry for your loss. Just remember the friend you loved and forget anything else. As long as you're not running around naked, it should be OK.

Marg

[klmno]

In our family (which BTW is not a normal family LOL), we try to dress more traditional if it was an older (elderly) person that passed. But that only means not wearing anything "flashy" and trying to keep it a little to the darker side- unless a man wears a white shirt. Other than that, the only thing that sticks out in my mind is that it's appropriate if it's not an obvious attention-getter.

[crazymama30]

I am with the nice pair of jeans and a nice shirt, not too dressy but just classy. I think Daisy used that term. That sounds good.