Respecting their wishes
When choosing your loved one’s final attire, you should consider any personal preferences or wishes they may have shared about their funeral outfit. If your family member was suffering with an illness and had started thinking about plans for their funeral, they may have left behind some specific instructions on what they wanted to wear. Some people may be more covert about expressing their wishes; for example, they may have hung a funeral outfit in their wardrobe, or left a note behind for you to find.
Regardless of how the deceased chose to express their wishes, you should always do your best to follow them. Not only will this make the decision-making process easier, but you can also rest assured in the knowledge that you are respecting your family member’s final wishes.
Cultural or religious considerations
Cultural and religious beliefs often play a key role in choosing funeral attire for your loved one. Some religions have specific customs that must be upheld – for example, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism all require the deceased to be washed in a certain way, before being dressed in a funeral shroud. If you’re unsure about the specific religious customs, we recommend consulting with the immediate family or a religious leader to help you understand the options.
How to choose your loved one’s funeral clothes
If your loved one did not make their wishes for funeral attire known, and there are no specific religious customs to follow, you may need to choose their funeral clothing. There are many different routes you can go down when dressing a family member for their funeral – if you’ve been tasked with this decision, try following our top tips below:
Opt for the Conventional Approach
Many people opt for a more conventional approach when dressing the deceased for a funeral by choosing clothing that they may have worn to other funerals. If your mother or father had a favourite funeral outfit that they wore for another family member’s funeral, for example, this could be a safe option for their own funeral attire. This is a good choice for conservative families who are opting for a more traditional funeral service.
Consider Their Personal Style
When deciding on funeral clothes, the deceased’s personal style is a key consideration. Think about their personality, favourite outfits, colours, and how formal or informal they liked to present themselves. If your family member despised formal wear and preferred to dress in casual clothing, you may wish to apply this style to their funeral outfit. After all, choosing what your loved one wears in death should reflect what they wore in life.
Incorporate Meaningful Touches
Aside from style, you may wish to incorporate some personal touches into your loved one’s funeral attire. Dressing the departed in their favourite piece of jewellery or accessory can help to honour their memory in a truly meaningful way.
Be Practical
There are a few practical aspects to consider when choosing funeral clothing for the deceased. If your family member suffered from an illness, think about whether their clothes are still likely to fit. Their appearance may also have altered after death, so we highly recommend choosing loose-fitted, long-sleeved garments. Additionally, there’s no need to choose shoes for the chapel of rest, as these usually cannot be seen.
Consider the Type of Funeral
It’s important to consider that some clothing is unsuitable for certain funeral types. If you’re organising a cremation, your loved one cannot wear any clothing with metal, rubber, or plastic attachments. Items with batteries (i.e. watches or hearing aids) are also prohibited. If you wish to dress your family member in any of these items, they can be kept on for the chapel of rest but must be removed for the cremation.
Need assistance with dressing your loved one for their funeral?
Dressing the departed for their final farewell can be a daunting and deeply personal task. Although there are many options available, it’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to dress the deceased for their funeral.
Alexander Burn’s compassionate, caring team is here to guide you through the entire funeral planning process. We offer valuable advice on selecting appropriate attire for your family member’s funeral. In many cases where there is no specific clothing required, we provide a funeral gown to be buried or cremated in, which is modest and dignified. We offer a range of funeral services, including burials, cremations, and eco-friendly funerals, helping you create a meaningful farewell that feels just right for you and your family. Get in touch today to begin planning your loved one’s funeral service.
