Funeral attire

[Fran]

Winter, I think the current standard is more somber colors but slacks and jacket is appropriate.
I agree that the family will be grateful for your words of comfort. It wouldn't be a blip on my radar what anyone wore.
Give them your sincere sympathy and dress with what you have. Slacks are certainly acceptable.

[mrscatinthehat]

Last funeral I went to was in jeans I think. I had a sweater on with them. I would say most of the folks there were also in similiar fashion except a couple of folks in work uniforms. And this was for someone over 80. It doesn't make a whole lot of difference these days for m ost funerals. They will just be appreciative that you came.

beth

[meowbunny]

First, I'm so sorry to hear that he died. I know how much you cared for him and vice versa. The world has lost a true gentleman and the universe has gained a bright star.

I wore a bright red dress at my dad's funeral. Why? Because it was his favorite dress. He had many friends there. Like Donna, I remember every single person that was there and almost every word said. I do remember two outfits -- one because she wore a bright yellow dress because that was dad's favorite color and I thought that was a wonderful gesture on her part and the other because it was truly inappropriate -- bare midriff, tight top; the whole hoochie mama look. That one did offend me, as I know it would have my father. Otherwise, I have no clue what others wore.

So, wear what's comfortable. It really does mean something to the family that you cared enough to be there, to care and to remember. That's really all you need.

[katya02]

Lots of good advice here, and the best is that your presence and support are the most important thing. Otherwise, dress codes are cultural. If your neighbor embraced a particular culture or tradition/style, something showing that you've taken that into consideration would be nice. Otherwise, anything that doesn't draw attention to oneself should be appropriate.

[flutterbee]

Thank you for the advice. I guess your presence is more important than your attire.

It turns out that there will not be a funeral, but a memorial gathering at his home on Sunday.

[witzend]

I think you could find something very nice at the Goodwill for a price you won't mind. I also think jeans are ok, but not decorated, with a black sweater or jacket.

[Shari]

The important thing is being there.
***
When my dad died, I packed to travel hours from home; I arrived with 6 pairs of pants and 2 shirts. Neither one nice. My brothers did the same, tho. lol I asked a friend coming up later to bring a particular shirt and jewelry for the visitation. So I wore a bright pink western shirt to my dad's funeral. I had made it to go with the jewelry the kids had given me that previous Christmas. Dad was always proud of my creativity (even when it made me weird) and he wore or played along with whatever ridiculous things the grandkids presented him with, so I thought it was a perfect fit.
***
Several of the grandkids and neices and nephews bought and wore John Deere t-shirts. One farmer/neighbor came in his bib overalls. The Amish came in their Sunday clothes. I remember these because they fit dad's personality - not because they didn't fit in. I know people passed in suits and pearls, but I don't recall who. I know people passed in jeans and t-shirts, but I don't recall who they were, either.
***
I'm sure you could find something at Good Will or the likes, but unless you are just really uncomfortable with what you have, I'd expend the energy being there instead of prepping to be there.

[TerryJ2]

I'm a bit late to this ... but can you go to the memorial gathering at the house? Then you could definitely wear whatever you want. I agree w/the others, the idea is to be somber, no party clothes, although for children's funerals, people often wear bright colors so it isn't so morose.
I hope it goes well for you all. Best of luck.

[donna723]

I think I would wear the same thing to a memorial gathering as I would to a funeral, unless you know for sure that it's going to be very casual.

I guess every area has their own traditions. Around here people dress a lot more casually for the visitation the days before the funeral than they do for the actual funeral. A lot of people stop by on their way home from work in whatever they're wearing as long as they're not dirty or scruffy looking - nobody cares. For the actual funeral most people dress pretty much like they were going to church. In some of the churches people do wear jeans and in some they don't. But if they do, they wear nice ones.