How should I dress for a funeral?

By: William Spence
Wednesday, February 26, 2020

In the past, custom dictated that immediate family wore black clothing to the funeral of a deceased family member. While other relatives and friends didn’t necessarily need to be dressed in black, dark clothing was the norm. Recently, there has been a trend away from wearing exclusively dark clothing for funerals. Brighter colors are now not only accepted but can even be appropriate in the context of gathering to celebrate one’s life. Dresses for women and suits for men are no longer mandatory either. In certain situations, families may request that those attending a funeral wear certain types of clothing, such as denim jeans, leather, or simply dress casual. Whatever the case, when deciding how to dress for a funeral, consider the situation and dress appropriately in order to show dignity and respect for the deceased, the family, the setting, and the occasion.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.
Refresh
Audio

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Updated Guidelines

Yesterday, Governor Wolfe and Secretary of Health Levine announced new mitigation efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania effective Friday, November 27, 2020. "The new measures incl...

We're all in this together

This is the first of a series of eight posts sharing helpful Covid-19-related information from Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D. , that expresses well the goals and desires of William P. Spence Funeral and Crema...

Should services be postponed because of COVID-19?

The novel coronavirus has left little undisrupted, including final arrangements for those who pass during this scourge.  Whether out of prudence or mandate, too often the wishes of the decease...

What happens to the money when we pre-pay our funerals with Spence Funeral Services?

In Pennsylvania, funeral directors are required by law to deposit in escrow or trust the entire amount of the monies received by the funeral director for future expenses. None of this money is avai...

News Release: COVID-19

William P. Spence Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., Is Prepared to Safely Care for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic William P. Spence Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., remains com...

What is the PA state law regarding funeral processions?

As one might expect, each state has its own laws regarding funeral processions. In Pennsylvania, each vehicle in the procession must have its headlights lit and emergency lights flashing as well as...

What is “preplanning” and does Spence Funeral Services offer it?

Preplanning is simply a matter of taking care of your funeral service details before the need arises. Today, more and more people are making the thoughtful decision to discuss their final arrangeme...

Are vaults required in Pennsylvania?

Vaults or other types of outer burial containers are not required by federal or Pennsylvania state law to be placed in the ground prior to a casket being buried. However, most cemeteries in Lancast...

Do you provide traditional funeral services?

Do you provide traditional funeral services? The answer is “Yes, we provide traditional funeral services.”  Actually, we provide a continuum of funeral services ranging from traditional servi...

Who is William P. Spence?

I was raised in rural Indiana County. Prior to becoming a funeral director, I was employed for 12 years as an underground coal miner by Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company. In 1993, I graduated...