Funeral dress code in 2026

If it’s feasible I ask about dress code. We seem to have been to far too many funerals in the last few years. Most have been ‘it doesn’t have to be black’, a couple specified light or bright clothes, another said it doesn’t matter just be there. The most recent did request traditional funeral attire. Sitting at the back of the full crematorium all I could see was black on young and not so young. If I’m unsure I wear navy or grey. For myself when my time comes I truly dont care what people wear, whatever they are comfortable in would be fine.

I always wear black at a funeral. For me it is a sad day, nothing about losing a loved one would make me want to wear colourful clothing, my clothes reflect my mood. I get that for some people they want to wear colourful clothes and see a funeral as a celebration of the life lived, but I see a funeral as a sombre occasion and view dark clothing as a mark of respect to the deceased and to the bereaved family.

I think if you look neat, are suitably covered, most things go. It can be a bit distracting if people turn up in something glaringly obvious as if to say 'look at me'. I think it is about respect for the person and family so keep it low and cool would be my advice.

One or two posters have stated that they they think it’s odd for someone to wear a maxi dress.
I thought a maxi dress ended mid calf? I’ve got quite a few of them and wear them to all sorts of events. They seem quite acceptable to me.

I think a maxi dress ends at ground level and a midi dress (much loved by me in the early 70s) ends at calf level. Re the poster asked if only close family should wear black at a funeral, I have never heard that before, so I googled it. AI firmly stated that no, it is not only close family who are expected to wear black at a funeral.

TheSunRisesInTheEast

I always wear black at a funeral. For me it is a sad day, nothing about losing a loved one would make me want to wear colourful clothing, my clothes reflect my mood. I get that for some people they want to wear colourful clothes and see a funeral as a celebration of the life lived, but I see a funeral as a sombre occasion and view dark clothing as a mark of respect to the deceased and to the bereaved family.

I agree.
Unless there’s a specific instruction from the family concerned to wear a certain colour, then a funeral is different from a celebration of life ceremony.

I totally agree with you. Black is a horrible color , not really a colour is it.

The last funeral I went to was for a very dear friend and her DH asked that we wear bright colours!

I think just smart casual. I wouldn’t wear jeans, personally, as for me it lacks respect. I have been to many funerals in my capacity as president of a club and they do vary. Some are more celebratory than others . For the last one I went to we were asked to wear something purple because of the team colours of that person’s favourite sporting team.