What to wear at a funeral in the summer
Are you attending a funeral this summer and unsure what to wear? Explore your options in our guide.
Most traditional funerals in the UK have a formal dress code. Increasingly, however, dress codes are becoming more relaxed.
In the summer months, the priority is to balance appropriate clothing with comfort. Most of the time, this means wearing formal clothes in muted colours and lightweight fabrics.
Sometimes, the religious nature of a funeral will mean the dress code has specific requirements. And at celebrations of life, you may be encouraged to wear brightly coloured clothes or clothes that reflect the personality of the person who died.
When in doubt, your best bet is to ask the organisers for guidance. If you can't do this, it's best to play it safe.
In this article, we look at the clothes you could wear to a funeral in summer. We hope it helps.
What should I wear to a funeral in the summer?
Choose dark, muted colours
In summer, funeral attire tends to use the same colour palette as the rest of the year. That means dark or muted colours, such as black, navy, charcoal and dark grey.
Unless you're told otherwise, you should avoid bright colours, loud patterns, casual wear and revealing outfits.
Wear lightweight fabrics for comfort
When the weather is hot, you want to be comfortable as well as respectful. This mostly involves wearing lightweight fabrics.
Popular lightweight fabrics for summer include:
- Cotton
- Linen blends
- Chambray
- Lightweight wool
- Breathable synthetic fabrics
These will be far more comfortable than heavy synthetics or wool.
Follow tradition unless you're told not to
Funerals tend to stick to tradition when it comes to men's and women's clothing. In summer, that means lightweight, dark suits or dress trousers with a collared shirt for men. Women will tend to opt for a modest dress, skirt and blouse or dress trousers with a smart top. Skirts will typically be knee-length or longer, and low necklines and casual summer attire will mostly be avoided.
Ties are often worn but may be considered optional. It all depends on the wishes of the family and the person who died.
As a guest, you can gather this from the invitation or by talking to a close friend or family member. If in doubt, play it safe.
Go for smart, comfortable shoes
Men will typically wear dress shoes or smart loafers. Sandals and other casual footwear are typically considered too relaxed unless the invitation says otherwise.
Women will mostly wear closed-toe shoes to funerals. However, smart flats, low heels and loafers are sometimes worn. Nine times out of 10, stilettos and flip-flops will be considered inappropriate – again, unless you're specifically told otherwise.
If the funeral includes a burial, you may stand on soft ground next to the grave. In this situation, you should avoid wearing shoes that might sink into the ground.
Exceptions to these guidelines
Bear in mind that all the advice above is geared towards traditional UK funerals. That means a service that follows established British customs and is rooted in Christian tradition.
Some religious funerals will have a more specific dress code. The other big exception is celebrations of life. These are party-style funeral services that often invite guests to dress in a more celebratory way.
This could be as broad as "brightly coloured clothes" or "whatever you feel comfortable in". It could also be as specific as:
- A single colour theme
- The colours of a favourite sports team
- Another kind of clothing that reflects the personality or passions of the person who died
The main thing is to use your common sense, check the invitation for special requests and ask if in doubt. If you're still not sure what to wear but want to stay comfortable in the heat, go for dark-coloured clothes in lightweight fabrics.
Can I wear sunglasses to a funeral in the summer?
Most of the time, sunglasses are considered too informal for traditional UK funerals. However, you may be able to wear them at the outdoor service and remove them for solemn moments. Your best bet is to wear understated shades rather than anything flashy.
Religious considerations
Different religions have different expectations about dress. In all religions, however, there's variety, so make sure to check the invitation or speak to other guests for guidance.
At Christian funerals of all denominations, dark formal clothing is the norm. The same goes for Jewish and Sikh funerals. There, non-Jewish or non-Sikh guests may be offered a head covering.
At Muslim funerals, clothing should generally cover shoulders, arms and legs. Women often wear headscarves.
Finally, at Hindu funerals, guests often wear white. If you're a non-Hindu guest, you should follow any guidance provided in the invitation or ask for more information.
More tips for attending a funeral in the summer
- If it's very hot and the service is partly or entirely outdoors, you could bring an umbrella to shield yourself from the sun. As with the clothes you wear, a dark-coloured umbrella will likely be the most appropriate choice. Alternatively, make sure you apply sunscreen before the service.
- If you're sensitive to heat, you may want to bring a small bottle of water in your bag or purse or a discreet pocket fan.
- For indoor services, you shouldn't count on the venue to have air conditioning. It can be a good idea to wear layered clothing so you can adapt to the temperature.
AFD is a team of independent funeral directors based in London. For more advice on planning and attending funerals, visit our blog or read our funeral planning guides.
