We sometimes receive free products to create brand reviews. Our team recommends products that we love and feel you will too. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission.

Solemn times of grief highlight the importance of family, friendships, legacy and honoring the lives of loved ones. And it’s a dignified occasion that might still have you curious about what to wear to a funeral. There are plenty of other considerations that accompany the day, so proper funeral attire shouldn’t be something left to chance. 

It’s a sign of respect and a nod to the deceased, as well their family and friends (and others you know attending the funeral, of course). It’s a way to honor them and their lives, and there are plenty of traditional ways to dress for a funeral. Yet, funerals also arise quickly – it’s an unplanned event that presents challenges. You can meet those challenges in terms of what to wear for a funeral if you know what to wear, how to make it work for you, and how to access what you might not have on hand. 

Here, we’ll give you some quick and practical advice on dressing for a funeral. Keep it simple yet appropriate, honor the deceased and do your part on this day, all the while dressing properly for guys for a funeral. 

Understanding Funeral Attire

  1. Traditional vs. Modern expectations
  2. Cultural and religious considerations
  3. Importance of showing respect through attire

As with any guide to men’s style, there are certain do’s and don’ts with funeral attire. Traditional ways of dressing might dictate that men only wear black suits, white shirts, black shoes and a black tie. Modern style norms have taken the black suit out of favor in many instances other than events with a “ black tie” dress code. And beyond that, many places of work simply don’t require jackets or suits, or even a blazer, much less a tie. 

This might mean that the modern man, for all his other stylish considerations, might not have a black suit close at hand, for instance. In this case, dark-colored suiting is a modern move that can still help meet traditional expectations (more on these considerations in a moment). 

There are also plenty of religious and cultural considerations to follow. Based on the location of the funeral and the type of service being provided, your garments might need to change to accurately reflect those considerations. Just as with weddings and traditional codes of dress and activities, dressing for a funeral can shift in much the same way – be aware of this as you look into what to wear for a funeral. 

It ultimately comes down to respect: Dressing appropriately for a funeral nods to the occasion while offering that same respect for the deceased. The last thing anyone might want is for an outfit to become a distraction, and wearing the right sort of look for a funeral keeps that from becoming an issue. 

Quick Solutions for Last-Minute Attire

Attending a funeral is, like we said, an unplanned event that presents some hurdles in your wardrobe. The key is to evaluate the pieces you already have close at hand, and that specifically includes dressier clothes that you’d wear for a formal occasion, like a white shirt. 

In this case, a suit might be your best or only option, as will dress shoes, an appropriate dress shirt and an appropriate tie. In some cases, a dark sweater worn under a suit might prove serviceable without a tie. But to keep things the most simple, look for a crisp white shirt, a black or dark navy tie, dark trousers and black dress shoes. A belt and a dark overcoat – in navy, charcoal or black – might also be required in the winter months or rainy weather. 

Luckily, there are plenty of helpful places one can find the pieces necessary to dress appropriately for a funeral. Look to department stores in your hometown, or perhaps, in the location of the funeral. Use online retailers that provide quick delivery within a matter of days. Your favorite online retailers, from Amazon to J. Crew to Macy’s, will often stock items like suit trousers, dress shirts, ties and perhaps dress shoes, all of which can be bought effectively in the same day itself. 

And there are even rental services that specialize in rental suits, typically needed for weddings. Companies like The Black Tux are popular for this very reason, and can also be used to get efficient access to a dark, funeral-ready suit, shoes and a dress shirt in one quick package. 

  1. Assessing your existing wardrobe
  2. Key items to look for in a hurry
  3. Where to find suitable attire on short notice
  4. Department stores
  5. Men’s clothing retailers
  6. Rental services
  7. Online options and same-day delivery

What to Wear to a Funeral

As you think of what to wear to a funeral, the key is to keep things simple, subdued and appropriate. First and foremost, look for dark suits in shades like black, charcoal and navy. Although tradition dictates that black is the most conservative color to wear to a funeral, navy and charcoal suits can also work if your accessories are subdued (more on this in a second).

If you don’t own a black suit, but instead own a charcoal or navy suit, consider using one of the dark-colored suits you do own, especially if you don’t have much time to plan or purchase an outfit. Your shirt and tie is also a critical part of your outfit. Look right away for a white dress shirt with no additional stitching or ornamentation – this will go a long way if your suit of choice is charcoal or navy, instead of black. 

Keep in mind that items like jeans, sneakers and athletic attire are frowned upon and not recommended for a funeral in any capacity. Keeping things crisp and dignified, from your suit to your white dress shirt, is crucial. 

White also works well with a variety of ties in general, but keeping your tie subdued is also important. Avoid ties with stripes or a lot of pattern or color. Look for a black or dark navy silk tie in a traditional width that matches the width of your lapels. A color like charcoal will also work in terms of your tie. Knit ties are more casual, so opt instead for a traditional silk tie in a dark color. 

Dress shoes are yet another way to ground your outfit in a dignified manner. When in doubt, look for black or brown dress shoes – wingtip or captoe shoes are acceptable in a dark brown or black color, but avoid as much ornamentation or color as possible. Your socks – traditional dress socks, instead of sport socks or socks you’d wear with boots – should also match the color of your pants. For  example, pair black dress socks with black trousers, or navy socks with navy trousers.  Avoid wearing contrasting white socks.

If you are unable to buy socks, reach for a pair of dress socks in a dark color as close as possible to the color of your trousers – black socks will work with charcoal or navy dress pants, and vice versa. 

Outerwear should be kept simple and appropriate: For example, a thigh-length black or navy overcoat is more than suitable for fall or winter funerals – the same can be said for charcoal or even light grey outerwear, like a trench coat, in rainy situations or spring funerals. The style of your overcoat should still match the occasion: Avoid excessive pattern or color, in keeping with a dignified outfit. 

If any accessories are worn, they should be dressy enough to pair with a suit or a sweater and tie, like a black leather dress watch in a traditional design. Avoid overly flashy dive watches, watches with an overly colorful dial or watches with a design that contrasts with your outfit in general. 

The same can be said for cufflinks and pieces like jewelry. Keep bracelets and necklaces to a minimum, or forgo them entirely, and if wearing cufflinks, ensure the design is practical and subdued. 

Funeral Outfits

Outfit Option #1: Traditional Religious Funeral Services

Traditional Religious Funeral Services

The most common funeral might be a traditional religious funeral service, typically held at a church and followed by a reception or gathering honoring the deceased. And accordingly, this outfit is the most common and ideally, easy to replicate via in-store shopping at a department store or even same-day delivery (as all of these items can also be found online).

A black or dark-colored suit pairs with a crisp white dress shirt and ultra-traditional black silk tie, while black leather dress shoes can be purchased everywhere from Nordstrom to Amazon. A black leather dress watch, although an optional accessory

Outfit Option #2: Secular Funerals or Memorial Services

Secular Funerals or Memorial Services

A secular funeral or memorial service is less specific and less traditionally religious than a traditional religious funeral. Proper attire is still expected and encouraged, but typically leans more towards a “business casual” type of look – for instance, a blazer in a dark color, along with trousers in a dark color, replace a traditional black suit here.

Ties in dark colors are also appreciated, but sometimes not required, and layers like a sweater might replace a blazer in some instances. Dark-colored trousers, from wool (in the winter) to linen blends (in the spring and summer) are still appreciated, as are appropriate dress shoes, loafers or even dress boots (based on the time of year). Sometimes, chino pants in a dark color can be worn, if they match appropriately with your shirt, sweater or blazer. 

Here, this funeral attire look uses conservative dark brown dress shoes and other conservative colors, using readily available pieces like a dark navy blazer, a traditional white shirt and dark-hued pants and dress shoes. 

Outfit Option #3: Graveside Services

Graveside Services

Graveside services and figuring out what to wear to a funeral take much of their same cues here from both of those previous two outfits. In this instance, more conservative or formal dress is required, as in wearing a black suit, white dress shirt, black tie and black dress shoes. A key difference with dressing for a graveside service? 

Being prepared for the weather at a graveside outdoor setting, be it a brisk fall day, a rainy spring day or somewhere in between. In this instance, outerwear could become a critical factor (like this navy, lightweight raincoat). On the other hand, lightweight clothing that breathes in the heat while still looking presentable is also a major must-have. For those situations, simply leave your navy overcoat out of this look, and perhaps consider replacing your stretch wool blazer with a lightweight cotton option. 

Sometimes, graveside services will offer specific instructions for a dress code, as in formal attire (such as a black suit, crisp white shirt and black tie) or perhaps semi-formal attire (in this case, a look similar to a secular funeral or memorial service might suffice). To avoid any confusion, air on the side of appropriate, subtle and formal attire, without overly bright colors or patterns. 

Black dress shoes and dark pants, plus a dark-hued blazer or sweater and overcoat in the cold, should suffice. Lightweight fabrics, like a lightweight, dark-colored blazer or even a dark dress shirt in the heat, are also crucial during warmer times of the year. Meet the situation (and the weather) accordingly.

What NOT to Wear

What NOT to Wear to a Funeral

Conclusion

Dressing for a funeral, while a solemn occasion, is one that still requires dignity and the proper approach. The funeral’s own dress code, if provided, should be kept top of mind first and foremost. Beyond that, your own wardrobe should be evaluated for what you have on hand – for example, a dark suit and a dark black or navy tie, traditional dress shoes or a white dress shirt – and what you don’t have handy at the moment. 

From there, coming up with options to solve your dressing solutions is key. Should you opt for online retailers with quick shipping? A visit to local department stores like Macy’s to find a new pair of black dress shoes or a white dress shirt? Or a very fast online perusal of a company like Amazon? Be sure to also carefully evaluate the type of service, from a graveside service to a traditional religious funeral or a more open-ended memorial service. 

Above all, maintaining a sense of respect and modest is key as you dress for a funeral. Using classic and readily available items in your funeral ensemble, from a dark-hued suit to dark dress shoes and a traditional tie, will make dressing for a funeral that much more manageable. Ultimately, your goal is to navigate the situation with subtlety and dignity, your outfit very much included. 

Remember that it’s all about honoring the deceased, and one way to do that is through proper dress, all the while behaving considerately and with care in mind to the friends, family and loved ones that surround you. 

Resources

It’s hard enough to deal with the loss of friends and loved ones, so figuring out what to wear to a funeral shouldn’t add undue stress to any situation. In certain circumstances, it’s best and often quickest to shop online – from dress shoes to black suits to white dress shirts and black ties, trusted retailers like Macy’s and Nordstrom offer online ordering and even in-person pick-up. 

Specialty retailers that have a specific focus, like ties and dress shirts from The Tie Bar, make it easy to find quality accessories and items as you dress for a funeral. And trusted retailers like J. Crew provide quality, fast shipping while covering a wide swath of categories, including traditional blazers and dress clothes. 

Quick shipping is also more efficient than ever thanks to Amazon, which works with retailers across the board to outfit you for solemn occasions – everything from dress pants to dress shirts can be found at Amazon. 

Retailers and menswear blogs also cover what to wear to a funeral, along with funeral etiquette and even items not to wear to a funeral. Many menswear sites often note that conservative clothing is a tasteful, classic choice for funerals, and works well in a variety of funeral settings.

There are also helpful guides that cover dressing and men’s funeral etiquette, all of which should be kept top of mind. Certain religious funeral traditions should also be kept in mind, as cultural norms can differ from region to region, country to country and across religious faiths. 

Want More From The Guy’s List?

Here at The Guy’s List, we are passionate about bringing you the latest advice in the fashion, grooming, and wellness industries, among several others, to help you look and feel your best. Also, be sure to check out our coupon page and reviews page to see what products are trending and find the best deals on many of the brands we write about and in this article.

Beau Hayhoe, the fashion guy, is our expert in all things men's fashion and grooming. Over the years Beau has written for some of the largest men's magazines and gained a deep understanding of the best brands, styles, and products for guys. You can catch Beau on his social media listed on his author page or by reading the rest of his catalog here on The Guy's List.

Sign Up For Our

Deals Newsletter

Receive exclusive deals from our favorite brands.