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What to wear at a funeral: Celebrity fashion advice

At the difficult time of bereavement, the last thing you would expect to worry about is what to wear at a funeral. But, many people often find this decision to be a very stressful one, as they want to find something appropriate for the somber occasion whilst reflecting the wishes or personality of their loved one.

To save having to worry over this issue when the time comes, it is suggested people should have a staple piece of clothing in their wardrobe that can double up for other occasions. Most men own a suit, and women should opt for a dress.

The same, simple dress can work for many different events, including weddings, graduations and funerals. Look for a dark, sheath dress to keep in your closet as a stand-by. Keep it low-key so it can be dressed up with jewelry, make-up, and accessories for a wedding or graduation service, whilst simple and staid enough for solemn events like a religious service or funeral.

Television Presenter and Fashion Expert, Gok Wan agrees, saying:

“Most people have got a black wraparound dress in their closet somewhere – you can give it a completely different look with layering and accessorizing. It's a staple - what's great about the wraparound is that it suits all body shapes from pear shapes to apple shapes to hourglasses to top-heavy girls. It's just universally flattering.”

For further advice on what to wear at a funeral, take a look at some of the outfits that celebrities have opted for when attending the funerals of their loved ones:

TRADITIONAL BLACK OR A TWIST OF COLOUR

Dr. Dre wore a classic, black, tailored suit at the funeral of his twenty-year old son, but added a splash of colour via his tie and button-hole to reflect the vibrancy of such a young life lost.

At Bernie Mac’s funeral, comedian Chris Rock opted for a blue suit rather than the traditional black, as did many other mourners, including Jesse Jackson. His wife, Rhonda, wore white, as other guests chose pale colours, too, in an attempt to brighten the occasion.

Following Heath Ledger’s tragic death early in 2008, family and friends attended a memorial service at his favourite beach in hometown, Perth. Ex-fiancee Michelle Williams broke traditional funeral rules, by wearing a cream print dress with black lace trim.

When Ben Kinsella – 16-year old brother of Eastenders actress, Brooke Kinsella – was murdered in June 2008, his funeral was an occasion to celebrate the youngster’s personality, rather than dwelling on the difficult circumstances to which he lost his life. Female friends wore casual, on-trend outfits, while male friends accessorized their suits with coloured wigs. Meanwhile, Ben’s sister, Brooke opted for a bright yellow dress.

If you are unsure what to wear at a funeral of a loved one, consider both the mood of the occasion and the personality of the deceased. Is the funeral being held to mourn the loss of that person, or to celebrate their life? If it is the first, perhaps traditional dark colours and formal wear is most appropriate. However, if the funeral is being held as a celebration, or the event is more unusual or contemporary than the norm (for example, a Living Funeral, a firework display or other unique memorial), it may be more appropriate and comforting to wear something bright, or something your loved one would have liked, such as an item of clothing in their favourite colour.

Please follow this link for more information about what to wear at a funeral depending on its cultural, or religious denomination.

If you require any more advice on what to wear at a funeral, then please feel free to contact us on 01924 465402.