What Women Should Wear to a Funeral
Dark, covered, and comfortable enough to stand in for an hour. Trousers are as correct as a dress, everywhere.
- The shape
- Sleeves or a jacket, a covered neckline, knee length or longer. A dark dress, a skirt and top, or dark tailored trousers — all equally correct.
- The shoes
- Flat or a low block heel. If there is a burial you will be standing on grass, and a stiletto sinks.
- The layer
- Take a jacket or cardigan even in summer. It solves bare shoulders and it solves a cold chapel.
- The bag
- Small, dark, and with tissues in it. You will be handing them to someone else.
Colours
- 1
Black, charcoal, navy, deep green, deep burgundy, dark brown — all correct.
- 2
Avoid bright red and avoid white above the waist unless the family asked for it.
- 3
A small dark print is fine. A large floral is a wedding print and reads as one.
Hair, make-up and jewellery
- 4
Nothing needs to be special. Neat is the whole requirement.
- 5
Waterproof mascara is practical advice rather than vanity.
- 6
Small jewellery. If you are wearing something that belonged to the person who died, that is the exception and it is a lovely one.
Tights, weather and standing outdoors
- 7
Tights are optional almost everywhere now, and warm at a graveside in November.
- 8
A dark coat you can keep on for the whole service.
- 9
If it is a burial, check the ground. Cemetery paths are often gravel and the grass is usually wet.
If you are pregnant, or dressing a bump
- 10
Comfort wins. A dark stretch dress with a cardigan is entirely appropriate.
- 11
Sit near an aisle and near the back if standing is hard. Nobody will notice and everyone would tell you to.
Questions people actually ask
Can a woman wear trousers to a funeral?
Yes, everywhere. Dark tailored trousers with a covered top are as appropriate as a dress and warmer at a graveside.
Do I have to wear black to a funeral as a woman?
No. Navy, charcoal, deep green and deep burgundy are all correct. Black is the safest, not the only, answer.
Are open-toed shoes acceptable at a funeral?
At a summer service indoors, yes if they are plain and dark. For a burial, choose something closed and flat.