Attending a Cremation Ceremony? Here is what to wear

No one focuses on what you’re wearing in a cremation ceremony, but that is not an excuse to wear an inappropriate dress. If you are attending a ceremony organized by cremation services in Phoenix, AZ, here are the appropriate attire for men and women and other things to note. 

Cremation Outfit for Men

The standard black three-piece suit is the most appropriate dress for a cremation ceremony, especially when you are close to or an immediate family member of the deceased. Otherwise, it is okay to wear any other dark-colored suit, like dark charcoal or navy. 

For a dress shirt, solid white is ideal, but black, navy, or charcoal-colored shirts work too. You can combine any of them with a matching tie. 

A cremation ceremony can be more casual than a traditional funeral service, but do not wear jeans to a funeral unless the invitation specifically says to. 

If you prefer casual attire, a black sweater or button-down shirt with black pants is fine. Make sure the shirt is tucked in, and you wear matching dress shoes or loafers. Sneakers are not acceptable footwear for a cremation ceremony. 

Cremation Outfit for Women

With so many choices, picking out the right outfit is a complex affair for women. However, whatever you choose, it is always best to err on the side of elegance. 

A good option is a plain black long sleeve dress with a high neckline that covers your knees. Another acceptable option is black pants or a skirt suit. 

If that feels too serious for the ceremony, consider wearing a simple combination of a dark-colored blouse or button-down shirt with a black skirt or pants. Grey and navy colors also work. 

A black sweater is an appropriate casual alternative if you don’t have a dark-colored blouse or shirt. Whatever you do, stick to basic dark colors and avoid bright colors and patterns. 

For footwear, pair any of the above with closed-toe black pumps. Black flats or a small wedge works fine too, especially if the cremation ceremony is outside. 

Whatever footwear you choose, make sure it is simple and comfortable enough to stand on for an extended amount of time. 

Avoid Jewelry

No matter how casual and relaxed the atmosphere might be, a cremation ceremony is still a respectable event. Your dressing should reflect this. Therefore you should avoid wearing any jewelry. 

The only acceptable jewelry is cremation jewelry. If the family members have reserved some of the ashes for cremation jewelry, then it is okay to wear jewelry.

Cremation Attire for Children

There are fewer expectations on kids when it comes to the appropriate attire for a cremation ceremony.

They don’t have to wear formal dresses, but it is best to go for dark-colored options, even in their casual outfits. It could be dark blue or black denim with jeans. Sneakers are acceptable too, as long as they are not bright colors. 

Overall, appropriate clothing for a cremation ceremony is not as strict as a funeral, and the right dress ultimately depends on the family’s wishes. A general guide for men, women, and children is to dress like it is a regular church service. 

For further advice and additional guidance on what to wear to a cremation ceremony for yourself or your guests, reach out to us at Simply Cremation & Funeral Arrangements. We provide cremation services in Phoenix, AZ, and our experienced experts are ready to help. Call us or visit our location today.