Funeral Suits

Men's Funeral Suits

A funeral suit is a plain, dark suit, most often black, worn with a white shirt and a dark tie. It is chosen so as not to stand out.

This collection brings together the suits that fit that description: plain black two-piece and three-piece suits, with dark grey and navy alongside. All are cut slim in a wool blend and run from a 36 to a 50 chest in UK sizing. Most people are buying at short notice, so the notes below keep to what matters.

What should a man wear to a funeral?

A plain dark suit, a white shirt, a plain black or dark tie and polished black shoes. Black is the traditional choice; dark grey and navy are acceptable. Keep everything else quiet: no obvious pattern, no bright colour, nothing that draws the eye. In cold weather, add a dark overcoat.

• Suit: plain black, dark grey or navy, two-piece or three-piece. A faint, dark pinstripe at most.
• Shirt: white, with a plain collar.
• Tie: black is traditional; a plain dark navy or charcoal tie is also fine.
• Shoes: black leather, polished, with plain dark socks.
• Coat: a dark wool overcoat if the weather calls for one.
• Everything else: a plain white pocket square at most; no jewellery beyond a watch and a wedding ring.

If you are starting from nothing, a plain black suit with plain buttons is the one choice that will not be questioned at any funeral. Our plain black suits are cut in the same slim fit as the rest of the range.

Do you have to wear black to a funeral?

No. Black is the traditional colour and remains the safest choice, but it is not a rule. Close family sitting at the front usually wear black. Any dark, plain suit is fine for guests. If the family has asked for something different, such as no black or a particular colour, that request comes first.

Check the funeral notice or any message from the family. A 'celebration of life' often comes with a request for colour, and turning up in black can then feel out of step. If nothing has been said, assume dark.

Can you wear a navy or grey suit to a funeral?

Yes, as long as the shade is dark. A dark navy suit or a dark grey suit is acceptable at most funerals in the UK, particularly for guests. Light grey and brighter blues look like office or daytime wear and are better left at home. The darker the cloth, the less anyone will think about it.

Choose the darkest suit you have. A plain black tie makes either colour more sombre, and a white shirt keeps the outfit plain. Our navy and dark blue range and the darker greys in our range are both cut in the same fit as the black.

Two-piece or three-piece?

Both are correct, and in black both are traditional. A three-piece suit is a little more formal and stays tidy if the jacket comes off, which matters in a warm chapel or at the gathering afterwards. A two-piece is simpler and lighter. The choice comes down to comfort and how long the day will be.

Our three-piece suits come with a matching waistcoat, so nothing needs to be bought separately.

What to avoid

Most of it comes down to a short list.

• Other colours. Cream, beige, green, burgundy and mid-blue belong to other occasions.
• Bold pattern. A faint, dark pinstripe is acceptable. A wide stripe or a check is not.
• Decorative buttons. Some of our black suits are finished with gold or silver buttons. Leave those for other days and choose plain buttons for a funeral.
• Satin lapels. A dinner jacket or tuxedo is evening wear and out of place at a funeral, even in black.
• Loud accessories and the wrong shoes. Avoid coloured ties, patterned pocket squares, brown shoes and trainers.

Fit and sizing

Buy for the shoulders and the chest. Those are the parts of a jacket that cannot easily be changed, while sleeve length, trouser length and the waist are quick jobs for a local tailor. If you are between two sizes, take the larger; a jacket that will not fasten looks worse than one that is slightly loose. Our men's suit size charts cover chest, waist and length measurements.

Frequently asked questions

What colour tie should you wear to a funeral?

Black, unless the family has asked otherwise. A plain dark navy or charcoal tie is also acceptable, and sits well with a navy or grey suit. Keep it plain: no pattern, no shine, no colour. A tie is expected with a suit at a funeral unless the family has asked for something less formal.

Is it disrespectful not to wear a suit to a funeral?

No, as long as what you wear is dark, plain and clean. A dark jacket with dark trousers, or a dark jumper over a collared shirt, is quite normal at most funerals. What matters is that you look as though you have made an effort and that nothing you wear stands out. A suit is simply the easiest way.

Can you wear a black suit again after a funeral?

Yes. A plain black suit is not reserved for funerals. It is worn for evening events, formal dinners and smart occasions of every kind, and a plain black two-piece is one of the more useful suits to own. A suit bought for a funeral will be worn again.

What should you wear to a funeral in summer?

The same as at any other time of year. Choose a lighter-weight cloth if you have one, and keep the jacket on during the service. A three-piece suit is useful in warm weather for the reason given above: the waistcoat means you are still dressed properly once the jacket comes off.

What if the family asks for no black?

Follow the request. The family sets the tone, and asking for no black usually means they want the day to feel less sombre. A plain dark navy or dark grey suit is the safest answer, with a white shirt. Only in this case, a tie in a quiet colour is fine, or a little of any colour they have named.