Funeral Etiquette UK » A Simple Guide [2024] | Reassured (2024)

FAQs

Funeral Etiquette UK » A Simple Guide [2024] | Reassured? ›

For a traditional British funeral, the etiquette is to wear something smart and in dark colours such as black or navy blue. Usual attire for men is a black or dark coloured suit with a tie and shirt, for women, it's a smart black or dark coloured outfit, such as a dress or smart trousers and jacket.

Wearing black clothing at a funeral is a tradition that dates back to the Elizabethan times and remains a tradition in the UK today. The tradition dates back to the Queen's prolonged mourning of Prince Albert when widows were expected to wear mourning attire for two weeks.

The only legal requirements for funerals in Great Britain are that the death must be certified and registered with the Registrar for the area where the funeral will take place, and that the body must be buried or cremated. The registration is the formal record of the death.

People generally wear black, but other dark colours are fine too. Suits and formal dresses are the norm at more traditional funerals, and people may wear hats. Children don't have to wear all-black, but they should be as smart and tidy as possible.

At the funeral

Immediate family and close friends sit in the front few rows. 'If someone has been asked to read a poem or give a eulogy, they also sit near the front or at the end of a pew so they can get out easily,' says Kate.

In some circ*mstances it can take a little longer, for example, if the death has to be looked into by the coroner, but generally the funeral will take place within one-to-two weeks, allowing the family of the deceased and the funeral director adequate time to plan and make arrangements.

Because this is the UK and our word for the wooden box someone is buried or cremated in is “coffin”. “Casket” is an American usage. And if you're thinking that a coffin is the tapered shape widest at the shoulders while a casket is rectangular, then your answer is that the rectangular shape is not common in the UK.

If it's someone you're close to, then you'll know what they like. Whatever would normally be a thoughtful gift for that person. If they're someone who you don't know well, flowers, some home-made cake, or even just a sympathy card.

The traditional dress code for a funeral in the UK for both men and women is black, conservative clothing, although wearing dark or muted colours is also considered appropriate. If you are unsure about what to wear, it is perfectly acceptable to ask an immediate family member of the deceased for advice and guidance.

The gathering after the funeral usually has food known as a repast. Repast food is a type of food that is often served at funerals. It is typically light and simple, such as sandwiches and finger foods.

Do you take anything to a funeral UK? ›

In our latest guide to funeral etiquette, we offer advice on what to consider bringing along, whether it's something to remember the deceased by or to help get you through the service. Before we continue, it is worth noting that, apart from yourself, there is actually no need to take anything to a funeral.

Lilies are the most popular choice of flowers for funerals in the UK, as they have strong ties to views about life after death. Lilies signify purity and luminosity. When you bring lilies to a funeral, you suggest that the deceased's soul has been renewed to a state of innocence.

Don't Rush to Leave: After the service, take some time to offer condolences and support to the grieving family before leaving. Rushing to exit can be seen as insensitive. In conclusion, proper funeral etiquette is a mark of respect and empathy for the deceased and their grieving loved ones.

Avoid mentioning any negative interactions that you had with the deceased. Never mention it if a family member isn't crying or doesn't seem sad. People grieve in different ways. Don't ask about how the person died.

Should I visit the Chapel of Rest? There is no right or wrong answer to this question. You don't have to visit the Chapel of Rest if you don't want to.

In the UK, it's not customary to tip funeral staff or any other person that provides a service at the funeral.

Mourning generally followed English forms into the 20th century. Black dress is still considered proper etiquette for attendance at funerals, but extended periods of wearing black dress are no longer expected. However, attendance at social functions such as weddings when a family is in deep mourning is frowned upon.

The average time between death and funeral in the uk is 2 to 3 weeks after death. This can be affected by things like the funeral director being particularly busy or if the death was suspicious and requires an inquest or a coroner's report. Religious beliefs will also play a role in the timing of the ceremony.

Although open casket funerals are not as common as they used to be in the UK, they do still take place. An open casket funeral in the UK is, however, most likely to be part of a Catholic funeral. This could be seen, in part, as a continuation of the Irish tradition of the vigil.