Funerals can be hard. Even more so when it’s for someone you shared a close bond with. While it can all become a bit overwhelming, it’s important that you dress appropriately for a funeral. Traditionally, people opt for all-black attire. But with the lessening focus on traditions over time, being well dressed to respect the departed is enough. While it’s not mandatory to wear all-black to a funeral, it’s still advised to wear darker shades of clothing. Even in summer.
If you’re confused about what to wear to a funeral in the summer, it can get a bit complicated since darker colors absorb more heat. And the last thing you want is to feel hot at a funeral. It can seem a bit daunting to match etiquette with comfort since you don’t want to wear anything heavy like a suit or jacket since it’ll just make you warmer. But at the same time, going for something too casual can come off as disrespectful.
Luckily for you, we’ve come up with 8 pointers on what to wear to a summer funeral to strike the perfect balance between formality and comfort.
- Wear A Hat (Or at least an umbrella to block out the sun)
While it might seem like common sense, you’ll find many people standing under the blazing sun without any sort of shade. Having a hat on will at least reduce the heat that would otherwise go directly to your head.
While it can be tempting to show off your new hat, remember that a funeral isn’t the time or place to do it. Try to avoid anything casual like a beach or baseball cap.
- Go For A Neutral Color Tone
While some funerals have a pre-determined dress code, it’s advised to stick to neutral colors that don’t stand out when you’re going for a funeral.
While darker shades are preferred, going for neutral colors doesn’t mean that you can’t wear something relatively bright like beige. But try to keep it low-key with a darker shade.
- Try Going For Short Sleeves
Wearing long-sleeves to a funeral in the summer heat seems like quite an obvious situation to avoid. It’s perfectly alright to go for something with a short sleeve like a short sleeve short dress or a sleeveless blouse with a skirt.
- Keep A Formal Jacket On Hand
While wearing a jacket sounds like a counter-intuitive idea to remaining cool, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. You don’t want to be the only one without a jacket at the funeral. And if it doesn’t come in use, you can simply carry it in your arms.
- Avoid Flashy Or Casual Footwear
When it comes to footwear, it’s always best to go simple with a pair of formal shoes. Definitely avoid anything casual like flip flops or sandals.
The tip about going for neutral/darker colors also works here. You don’t want to be the person wearing a bright red shoe at a funeral.
- The Material Matters
As you might’ve guessed, different materials absorb different levels of heat. So while a wool sweater looks like it would be apt for a funeral, (which it is) it would not be a very comfortable fit at a funeral in the summer.
- Avoid Tight/Short Clothing
Since formal wear is requited at funerals, it’s advised to wear something that’s at least knee-length. Wearing tight clothes on a hot summer day is just asking for trouble as the tight binding will just make you feel suffocated while you sweat it out.
- Ask The Family
Some funerals have dress codes. In cases where there is one or you’re just not sure about what would be appropriate funeral wear, you can always reach out to the family of the deceased. It’s the least complicated way of knowing what would be alright with those arriving for the funeral.
Funerals can be somber affairs, and it is important that you remain respectful of the deceased when attending a funeral.
If the deceased was someone you were close with and you’re unsure about what songs to play at the funeral,check out the Top 30 Funeral Songs of All Time for a comprehensive guide on creating a playlist for a funeral or memorial service.
