If you want to attend a visitation, you may be worried about how to fit in and appear appropriate for the situation you will be in. Attending a visitation allows you to pay your final respects to the deceased and support the grieving family. Knowing what to wear when attending a visitation can save you from guesswork and possible embarrassment. If you have never attended a visitation, you may not be sure what to wear. This article will explain what you should wear to a visitation, so you can dress respectfully.
Visitation Overview
If you have never attended a visitation, you may not understand what it means. For your information, there are several terms for funeral events, including wake, viewing, and visitation. So, what is a visitation? You should know that a visitation is usually held at a funeral home or church. It is a time for family, relatives, and friends to gather and pay their last respects to the deceased. Usually, the visitation is also held before the funeral ceremony. At this visitation, you as a mourner can see the deceased for the last time. Before you attend the visitation, think carefully about what you should wear. Remember that people are more sensitive to funerals than most gatherings as there is a concern of offending the grieving family. Therefore, you should be able to fit in and look appropriate for the situation you will be in, where everyone is grieving.
Also Read: Help With Paying for Funeral Expenses
Things to Consider When Choosing Clothes to Attend a Visitation
When you contemplate what to wear to a funeral visitation, there are a few questions you can ask yourself.
1. Where is the venue?
First, try and find out where the visitation is taking place. If the visitation is held in a church before a formal mass or other funeral service, then you can choose to wear more traditional attire. If the visitation is held in a funeral home, you can wear clothes which are more relaxed but polite.
2. What was the deceased like?
If the deceased was always dressed in formal attire, and you never saw the deceased in jeans, you might want to consider wearing more formal attire as well.
3. What is the weather like?
If it is cold outside and you are going to a visitation, you can wear clothes that are appropriate for the weather. No one will reprimand you for wearing a heavy coat during a snowstorm. Therefore, when it is cold outside, feel free to wear a coat and boots.
4. Are there any religious or cultural considerations?
You should know that for some cultures, wearing black to a visitation or funeral is considered disrespectful. If your deceased friend was from another culture or practiced a religion you are unfamiliar with, you can find out more about their customs. Make sure you are dressed appropriately and do not offend the grieving family.
What to Wear to a Visitation for Females and Males?
Visitation is generally more casual than a funeral service. Visitation can happen after a regular work day. So, it is perfectly reasonable to attend a visitation with work clothes or regular casual clothes. The important thing is that you still show your respect to the grieving family. When it comes to what you should wear to a funeral, there are a few options you can consider. Wear clothes that are appropriate for attending a funeral. Make sure you wear clothes that are modest and comfortable. When attending a visitation, most people usually choose dark-colored clothing such as black, dark gray or dark blue. You will also often see mourners wearing black clothes. Actually, wearing black when attending a visitation or funeral is not required. You can choose other colors besides black, such as other muted colors that are not flashy or disturb the vision and focus of the grieving people.
If the visitation is at a church or somewhere else that requires you to wear formal attire, then you can choose formal or more traditional clothing. Essentially, you should avoid wearing clothes that are too casual, such as short t-shirts, shorts, or jeans. In these situations, you should opt for more formal clothing, such as skirts, trousers, shirts, or blouses. In addition, you can also choose your clothes according to the weather. If the weather outside is cold, you can wear a jacket or cardigan. Before deciding on the type or model of clothing to attend the visitation, you should find out in advance whether there are any special requests from the family of the deceased regarding clothing for mourners. In addition to clothing, you should also pay attention to your footwear. Do not wear inappropriate shoes such as athletic shoes or flip-flops.
For females, you can choose to wear pants or a skirt suit. Alternatively, you can also wear a button-down shirt instead of a blouse. In addition, you can also wear a blazer or other jacket with your skirt or trousers. Black is always a color that is often worn by mourners, whether women or men. However, you can also choose other darker colors such as dark brown, dark gray, or dark blue. Alternatively, you can also choose more muted and neutral colors such as khaki and beige. If you want to wear a dress to attend a visitation, choose a conservative dress. Make sure the length of your dress is knee-length or below the knee. Similarly, if you want to wear a skirt, choose a skirt that is long and modest.
For males, you can choose to wear a black suit or a suit in another darker color. Then, wear a shirt underneath, and wear long pants. You can also choose a short or long sleeve shirt, and add a bow tie. Apart from wearing a suit, you can also wear a blazer or other jacket. Most men wear button-down shirts when attending visitation. However, if the situation is very informal, you can also wear a more casual polo shirt. However, make sure you do not wear a t-shirt and jeans.
What Not to Wear to a Visitation?
Now that you know what to wear to a visitation, you should also know what not to wear to a visitation. Some of the clothes that should not be worn when attending a visitation include:
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- Clothing that is too casual, such as t-shirts, jeans, or shorts
- Clothing that is revealing, such as clothing that is short, low-cut or too tight/sexy.
- Clothing with offensive slogans or images to the family of the deceased or other mourners.
- Athletic clothing
- Beachwear
Is There a Dress Code for a Visitation?
Aside from clothing models, there are a few additional things you need to consider when going on a visit. Here is the explanation:
1. Avoid clothes with bright colors
It is important to note that wearing brightly colored clothing has the potential to disturb others, especially the family of the deceased. With brightly colored clothing, it can seem like you are being cheerful at such a sad occasion. Therefore, you should choose clothes with dark or muted colors. Dark and muted colors are a much better choice for attending a visitation or funeral.
2. Do not wear excessive jewelry
It is inappropriate for you to wear excessive jewelry when attending a visit. If you still want to wear jewelry, try to choose simple and unobtrusive jewelry.
3. Do not wear athletic shoes
Never wear athletic shoes when attending a visitation. However, if the visitation is held in a place where you must hike, and you will be helping the family scatter the ashes of the deceased, then you may wear such shoes.
4. Choose clothes that fit the situation
Make sure you always wear clothes that are appropriate for the situation you will be attending. Generally, mourners should wear modest clothing. However, some families have rules about what to wear at funeral visits. You can adjust accordingly. Choose clothes where you can respect the family of the deceased. For example, if the family of the deceased asks the mourners to wear more cheerful clothes, then you may comply with their request.
For note: There are exceptions to the dress code for attending visitations. For a veteran’s funeral, members of the military are definitely allowed to wear military uniforms, in fact it is required in order to honor the remains of the veteran. And, if the religion of the deceased or your religion requires a certain style of dress, then you may follow that rule as well.
The Etiquette of Visiting a Funeral Home
If you want to attend a visitation, know the etiquette of visiting a funeral home. There are several etiquettes that you need to know regarding visiting a funeral home. Here is the explanation:
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- Make sure you come to the visitation on time or early.
- Introduce yourself to the family of the deceased if you do not know the family well.
- You can sign the guest book and express your condolences to the family of the deceased. Express your sorrow and support to the bereaved family of the deceased.
- When leaving the funeral home, you should thank the deceased’s family for their hospitality. You can also say a few words about the deceased, definitely something positive.