When attending funerals at funeral homes in Burtonsville, MD, you should remember that it is classified as a special occasion that is designed to pay respects to and honor the memory of someone who has died. Because of that, you should follow some general guidelines about what to wear and what not to wear.

The key thing to remember in dressing to attend a funeral service is that you do not want to draw attention away from the deceased person or the grieving family because of what you’re wearing.

Dressing conservatively is always a good choice when you are dressing for a funeral service. Although you don’t have to wear black (although that is the general color choice for funeral services), you should dress in more muted colors, such as dark brown, gray, or navy. You’ll want to avoid bright colors and printed fabrics, since they will stand out and draw unnecessary attention to you at the funeral service.

Women should avoid tight-fighting clothing, such as mini-skirts or leggings, and they should also avoid clothing that shows a lot of skin, such as low-cut necklines or sleeveless dresses (if you wear a sleeveless dress, be sure to wear a sweater or jacket with it so that your arms are covered). Acceptable attire for women includes skirts and blouses, modest dresses, and professional pantsuits.

Women should keep their accessories low-key. As far as jewelry goes, a watch and wedding ring are acceptable, but dangling earrings and lots of bracelets and necklaces should be avoided. Do not wear sandals, flip-flops, or high heels. Instead, wear a comfortable pair of flat dress shoes that you can walk easily – and noiselessly – in. In addition, avoid wearing hats to funerals unless that is the custom. If you do wear a dress hat, make sure that it is a small hat that fits well and won’t obscure the view of other mourners.

Men should not wear jeans, t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, or sandals to a funeral service. They should also not wear a hat into the service itself (hats should be removed and carried inside or not worn at all).

Instead men should wear business casual or business attire to a funeral service. This can include a white dress shirt, black, brown, or gray pants, and a matching sports coat, or a suit and tie. If you wear a tie, choose one that is very simple (no loud colors or wild designs). Men should wear matching dress shoes as well.

However, there are some exceptions to these general guidelines on what to wear to a funeral service, but they are very specific.

For example, if you are a member or a veteran of the military and you are attending a military funeral, then it is acceptable to wear your dress uniform to the military service. The same is true for funerals for law enforcement officers and firefighters, where current members of law enforcement or current firefighters may wear their dress uniforms to the funeral service of a fellow officer or firefighter.

The other exception is when the religion or culture of the deceased requires a different type of attire. You should check with the family of the deceased to find out what is appropriate for you to wear to their loved one’s funeral.

If you’d like to know more about funeral dress at funeral homes in Burtonsville, MD, you can talk with our knowledgeable team at Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home, P.A. You can visit our funeral home at 4400 Powder Mill Rd., Beltsville, MD, 20705, or you can call us today at (301) 937-1707.