Dress Codes
While it is not necessary to dress head-to-toe in black, all those attending a funeral should be sombrely dressed. There is no set dress code, but thought should be put into one's appearance.
- Men wear dark suits with a simple shirt. Black or dark-coloured ties should be worn - brightly coloured ones will look inappropriate. In cold weather, a smart tailored coat or jacket should be worn rather than a fleece or anorak.
- Women should wear smart day dress in a sober colour. Simple elegance will always look best. Hats are not required but may be appropriate for a very formal or grand ceremony. Remember that very high heels will be difficult to manage in the soft grass of a graveyard.
Children should be neat and tidy, with young boys in jackets or school blazers and girls in dresses and coats if possible.
Occasionally a family will make it known that they want something particular in the way of dress, for instance if the dead person hated black or any kind of formality.
At some very formal and grand funerals men may wear morning dress, traditionally worn with not only a black tie, but a black waistcoat. At state occasions military uniforms may also be worn. In such cases, unlike normal funerals, people will receive an invitation, which would include instructions.
