Funeral Guide - Funeral Ties - Men's Attire Tips

Just like a suit, etiquette says to wear a black necktie to a funeral. This could be a solid black tie, a tone-on-tone black tie or a subtle black pattern. If you don't have a black tie and don't have time to purchase one, don't panic. Dark colored ties like gray, navy blue, hunter green or a deep maroon are okay to wear, too.

Etiquette says to wear a black suit to a funeral. If you don't have a black suit, don't rush out to purchase one. A dark gray or even navy blue suit can be worn instead.

While most men will wear a suit to a funeral, no one is going to ask you to leave if you're not wearing one. A dress shirt, necktie and a pair of slacks is an appropriate alternative to a suit.

The appropriate thing to do is to wear a tie to a funeral, even if it's not your norm. If you're wearing a suit, definitely make the effort to wear a tie. However, if time is of the essence and you simply can’t get an appropriate tie in time, no one will make you leave a funeral for not wearing a necktie. Just make sure the rest of your outfit is appropriate, and dress as you would if you were wearing a tie. If this means a button down shirt, tuck it in and unbutton the top button. If the weather allows, you can add a nice sweater over that collared shirt so it's not quite so obvious that you're not wearing a tie. Overall, your clothes should be clean and wrinkle free.

Even if the only black tie you own is a bow tie, bow ties are not appropriate for a funeral. Don't get us wrong, we love bow ties, but they can be distracting at a funeral. You want to draw the least amount of attention to yourself as possible, which means opting for a necktie over the bow tie.

If you need a tie quickly, you're at the right place. Here at TieMart we offer a wide range of in-stock and funeral-appropriate ties. Orders placed by 12 pm central time leave our warehouse the same day, and shipping as fast as the next business day is available at checkout. As far as selecting a tie, take a look at these black funeral ties. You'll find all of these neckties appropriate and respectful for a funeral.

Absolutely not! While a black tie is most commonly worn for funerals and formal events like weddings, it also can be worn to the office, a job interview, even casually with a collared shirt and jeans.

For men, a suit will always be an appropriate choice for a funeral—no matter how hot it gets. If you're truly worried you will be too warm in a suit coat, wear a dress shirt, necktie and slacks or suit pants. However, you should still bring a sportcoat or that suit coat with. When you arrive at the funeral, see what the other men are wearing. If everyone is wearing a jacket, it's best to put it on.

Just an FYI, shorts, tees, tank tops and sandals are always inappropriate for a funeral.

Sometimes a family decides to honor their loved one by having everyone wear a certain color to the funeral. Pink, green, blue. The color chosen is usually something meaningful, like a cancer ribbon color. In this case, if you were asked to wear something unusual to a funeral we recommend that you do. It doesn't have to be your entire outfit from head to toe in that color, but a necktie or pocket square is a nice touch that will mean a lot to the family.

Jeans are not considered appropriate funeral attire, even in dark colors. Unless requested by the family, business casual is the least casual you should dress for a funeral. And you should only dress business casual if you do not have access to a suit or more formal attire.

However, let’s be real. Sometimes things happen and the only pants you have access to before a funeral is denim. In this case, it’s better to wear those jeans and attend the funeral than not go at all. (No one is going to ask you to leave a funeral for wearing jeans.) So, if you must attend a funeral in jeans, make sure it’s your darkest pair of denim and try to select a pair that’s free of holes. Dress the jeans up as much as possible. A polo or dress shirt, necktie, blazer, dress shoes. You may feel a little awkward being the only person in jeans, but you’ll be glad you attended nonetheless.

Yes, a formal men’s hat like a fedora, driving cap or derby hat can be worn to a funeral. (Casual hats like baseball caps and beanies are inappropriate for a funeral.) Just like the rest of your attire, the hat should be a dark muted color in a solid or subdued pattern. In some religions and cultures, a men’s head should be covered at all times while indoors at a funeral. However, aside from these exceptions, hats should be removed when going indoors, especially in a church. When outside, remove your hat during a burial service or when a funeral procession passes. During a military service, when the American flag is presented you should remove your hat as well.

Most men will wear black shoes to a funeral and if you have a pair, we suggest wearing black shoes. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear brown shoes. Brown is a dark muted color and okay to wear to a funeral. Brown shoes pair well with navy, brown and lighter gray suits. Just like black, if you’re wearing brown shoes to a funeral make sure they’re clean and polished (if needed).

If you're asking this question, it's probably not. When it comes to funeral attire, think black or dark muted colors and subtle to no patterns. There's no one to impress at a funeral so don't try to show how trendy you are, even if that's your normal style. Keep your outfit neat, low key and respectful.

If you're overdue for a haircut, make an effort to be groomed for the funeral. Get a haircut, and trim or shave your beard if you have one. Your overall appearance at a funeral is all about showing respect.

A wake or viewing is typically held the day before or morning of a funeral service, with the body or ashes of the deceased present. It is typically informal and held at a funeral home. It is a time to pay your respects to the deceased and give your condolences to the family. A wake or viewing is more social than a funeral, and close family and friends often stay through the entire event. It is a time to share stories about the deceased and and mourn together.

Wake attire is similar to funeral attire. If you own more than one suit, it is best to wear a suit to a wake. (Choose your darkest or black suit for the funeral. A dark gray or navy suit is fine for a wake.) If you only have one suit, keep it for the funeral. Instead, dress business appropriate to the wake. A collared shirt, tie and slacks. You can add a sweater or blazer over your shirt, too. While you’re not restricted to black at a wake, you should still only wear dark colors and no bold patterns or trendy attire.

A memorial service is the same as a funeral, but a body is not present. Unless the memorial service is described as casual, you should dress the same way you would to a funeral.

In the United States and western cultures, black is traditionally worn to funerals to signify mourning. Wearing black is not new and dates back to Roman times when dark-colored togas were worn to funerals. The tradition eventually made its way back to England where the upper class wore black to show mourning. In fact, when a women’s husband died she was expected to year all black for an entire year.

No. While most western cultures wear black to a funeral, other regions of the world wear different colors. China, India and other countries in the Middle East wearing white to signify mourning. In Thailand, as well as Catholic funerals in Brazil, purple is worn. Grey is worn in Papua New Guinea. In Egypt, yellow and gold are the colors of mourning. In Mexico yellow is a color of mourning.