What to wear for a summer funeral

Choosing an appropriate outfit for a summer funeral can be challenging. Although funerals are no longer strictly black tie occasions, selecting an outfit that is respectful, comfortable and weather appropriate during the summer months requires some thought. 

In this blog, we provide advice for both men and women on what to wear to a summer funeral.

How to dress for a funeral in the summer

Despite having a little more freedom when it comes to choosing a funeral outfit nowadays, even in the heat of summer, funerals tend to be formal affairs that require a certain level of decorum. Your attire needs to be respectful and must fit in with the environment of the occasion. This may be inside a place of worship, outside, beside a grave, or at a non-religious memorial service. However, at the same time, when attending the funeral of a friend or loved one, the last thing you want to worry about is feeling too hot or even sweating profusely. To ensure you strike the right balance between comfort and respect, below we provide summer funeral outfit advice.

For women

Even during the summer months, the weather in the UK is very unpredictable. For this reason, it’s important to dress for any eventuality. Opting for base items made from lightweight fabrics such as linen or cotton, combined with warmer removable items such as cardigans, scarves and shawls, can be a good idea. For example, a formal linen trouser suit combined with a warm pashmina or shawl, or a cotton skirt and blouse paired with a removable cardigan, could be suitable and highly versatile options.

You need to give colour some careful thought too. It is a misconception that black is the only colour appropriate for funerals and memorial services. In fact, this is not always the case. While it is obviously better to avoid bright colours and patterns - unless specifically instructed by the funeral’s organiser - opting for non-black items can help you stay cool. With this in mind, outfits made up of items of navy blue, dark green, grey and other muted colours can also be appropriate.

Finally, while hats or head scarves are often worn out of respect at funerals, if a service is taking place outside in warm conditions, thought must be given to the most appropriate headwear. Items such as pillbox hats or fascinators made from lightweight and breathable materials could be the best option. Heavy Angelina hats and wide-brim Kentucky Derby hats should be avoided.

For men

What shoes to wear to a summer funeral