Do you keep a "funeral outfit" on hand?

[1GoldenSun]

We went from planning to move my FIL in with us to planning his funeral in a matter of weeks. Even though it will necessarily be a very understated event with very few attendees, it's important to my husband that we all dress the part. DH of course already owns a couple black suits, but I've been scrambling to put together appropriate outfits for the kids and me. My son lives in basketball shorts and flip flops and needed everything, and while my daughter's wardrobe is mostly blacks and grays already, nothing was of an appropriate style. I had a few things that could've worked, but DH wants us all looking our best so I got myself new clothes as well. It's been kind of a mad flurry of shopping (which I hate) when there's already a lot of other stuff I need to be attending to.

I'm not getting caught in this situation again. Our parents, aunts, and uncles are getting to the age where we need to be ready for a funeral at any time, and I'm keeping outfits for all of us at the ready from here on out.

Do you keep an outfit ready in case of a funeral?

 

[soccerdad72]

Not specifically, but I own a number of suits, as does my wife, for work purposes. Our boys each have one suit that they've worn for weddings and school dances.

 

[Disneylover99]

We’re always funeral ready. Lol.
Between the four of us, we have a ton of black outfits and shoes.

 

[kdonnel]

My grand parents took formal portraits every year starting some time in their 70's and had large framed prints made each year. One of each of them individually and one of the two of them together. They wanted to be prepared incase one died or they died together.

The portraits were displayed at their funerals.

 

[Hikergirl]

Yes, I have a basic black dress, a skirt and a couple of jackets that are my basic funeral outfits.

 

[piglet1979]

We do not. My grandfather just passed away on August 31st. I had a few dresses but none that fit since I gained a bit of weight. I could have made something work for DD and DS we were lucky that he needed dress clothes last April for a school trip (that didn't happen) so he had this but needed a better shirt. The day before the viewing I went shopping to get new clothes for all of us. DH had dress clothes already from all the weddings we have been to the two years.

 

[TCRAIG]

My husband has a dark suit and I have a pair of black dress pants and a long black skirt that I can wear with various tops/sweaters that are ‘funeral appropriate’

 

[Darcy03231]

We do. I've always made sure we have clothes readily available for weddings and funerals.

 

[jerseygal]

We’re always funeral ready. Lol.
Between the four of us, we have a ton of black outfits and shoes.

Yes, we also have clothes that are appropriate. In the past several years, there have been many relatives pass sadly, so we all have clothing for wakes and funerals.

 

[Moliphino]

Not specifically, but I do have various things that are funeral appropriate. Most of them are leftover from when I worked at Macy's and was required to wear 80% black clothing every day to work.

 

[AppleDumpling]

OP, first off, my condolences to your family.

I’m sorry you’re dealing with added stress at this time. To your question, I don’t have a funeral outfit per se, but do have quite a bit of black in my closet because it is so versatile. (And as a New Yorker, the joke is we all wear black.) DH has suits and appropriate “business casual” for work.

I wouldn’t worry so much about the kids. No one should be judging them on what they wear, and it’s hard when they’re still growing. IMO, a dark polo shirt and khakis would be fine for a young boy or teen, and dark skirt or pants with a white top for a girl. When DS was young, he always had a white dress shirt and black pants that fit, because he was in the school band (grade 3-12) and that’s what they required for concerts, so that would be our go-to if needed.

 

[MillauFr]

No I see no reason to have formal clothes on hand for an event that occurs rarely.

 

[Piglet843]

2nd Edit for Clarity:
I was going to say the same as others - You don't have to call it a Funeral Outfit - but yea you should always have ONE nice outfit on hand that fits well and looks nice...
Then it could be used in any instance that might require one, for instance a Funeral, Wedding, Social Event, Interview... there are several reasons to have one. Everyone should make that investment in themselves
Edit - Meant to also say So Sorry for your loss!

 

[Heigh-Ho]

I was going to say the same as others - You don't have to call it a Funeral Outfit - but yea you should always have a nice outfit on hand that fits well and looks nice...
Funeral, Wedding, Social Event, Interview... there are several reasons to have one. Everyone should make that investment in themselves
Edit - Meant to also say So Sorry for your loss!

People's bodies change, they age, their social circle never denotes one, etc. Some people don't see the point in purchasing something they rarely see a reason to need or when they go to wear it they could find it doesn't fit them. I don't see it as a failure to invest in one's self as the way you put it is like a social admonishment.

 

[Kittyblue]

I have some nice outfits, but I don't specifically have a funeral outfit. At the funerals I've to been only some people are wearing black, and many people aren't even dressed up.

 

[Heigh-Ho]

I'm so sorry for your loss!

I do have an outfit that would be considered muted and modest but I haven't necessarily had it for a funeral.

I think if you see a reason, especially in the near future, to keep one on hand then maybe get one. The kids will be harder, they probably are still growing and tastes maybe be changing so quickly and what works for them and their bodies now may not work in the future. For them it may be best to get one now but don't expect it to necessarily be the attire for a future event.

 

[Piglet843]

People's bodies change, they age, their social circle never denotes one, etc. Some people don't see the point in purchasing something they rarely see a reason to need or when they go to wear it they could find it doesn't fit them. I don't see it as a failure to invest in one's self as the way you put it is like a social admonishment.

Oh.. I don't know how you got "social admonishment" from what I said or why you were so offended by my opinion -and not any others ... but I sure hope the rest of your day gets better!!

 

[Befferk]

I am so sorry about losing your father-in-law (and that things changed so quickly). I feel for anyone that has to clothes shop right now, with most places (at least by us) not allowing anyone to use fitting rooms.

To answer your question, I work for a funeral home, so every day is funeral attire for me

 

[RUDisney]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

2 years ago, my MIL bought my DS an updated suit for Christmas. His HS suits are too small... and short. She was 85 then, and in "eh" health, so I was concerned that if something happened we'd have to quickly resolve that situation.

Last Christmas, my parents bought him a nice sport coat, so he'd be covered for a viewing and service, if two were had.

Luckily, he got to wear the suit to a special event at our country club, so the suit came in handy.

Everyone else already had appropriate attire for a formal cocktail party and for a funeral.

 

[jdb in AZ]

When my sister passed the family requested that everyone wear yellow, her favorite color. I think more people had to shop for the cheerful color than if they were going to a funeral where somber colors were the norm. This was before Covid. Sure hope no one else passes before we have to make the difficult choice of whether to attend a funeral (huge family) or postpone, or stay home.