Can I wear navy or will it offend?

[Rispknee]

I never wear black. I wore navy for my own DH's funeral. I'd like to say I couldn't have cared less what anyone else wore but I did appreciate those who'd made an effort to be smart and respectful and raised an eyebrow at those who didnt.

New BF's dad has just died. I'd met him a handful of times and liked him. Mum is lovely. I shall be at the funeral to support and will help with some of the practical things.

The funeral is 'High Church", something completely outside my experience. Not Catholic, but very formal services. Church and it's rituals are very important to BF's Mum.

But, I need to buy something new that I'll never wear again to wear black...?

Yes I think you do, if it's High Church. You could pick up something on Vinted for a few £.

No experience of high church but we had someone in jeans at a recent funeral, it was a little unexpected (close relative to deceased, but not a big deal, so I can’t imagine navy being an issue.
If your BF says it needs to be black (he’s the person to ask really) maybe have a look in the charity shops? You can donate it back after the funeral.

I think that wearing something navy blue and very smart would be entirely appropriate for a high church funeral, including one where you are likely to sit with the family.

I'm High Church. Formality of services generally quite divorced from formality of dress. I'm rarely in anything other than jeans and trainers. For a funeral would obviously be much smarter but black not required and navy 100% fine.

Irrelevant what anyone here thinks. Ask your BF or his mum.

Ask your boyfriend. High Church seems like a black outfit event.

Navy is fine.

Navy is likely to be fine, but check with your boyfriend. For funerals at churches where I don't normally worship, I also slip a headscarf or hat (depending on the season) in my pocket, in case all the other women have covered heads.

If the navy is a formal looking outfit, I'd say it would be fine.

I agree. If it's a high church Anglican service, an uncovered female head will get much more adverse comment than a navy blue, as opposed to black, outfit.

I've been going to high Anglican churches for about 40 years. Only ever seen covered heads if someone is wearing a hat for a wedding. Absolutely no expectation and nobody is going to comment on it.

Agreed

Navy blue would okay

I wore navy to a funeral recently, I didn't feel out of place against the many people wearing black. I doubt if most people gave me a second thought.

I think navy will be fine. I’ve noticed much less black at funerals, even RC ones, the last number of years. I wouldn’t be buying anything new. Zero idea what “High Church” is but it’s hardly going to be more formal than the Pope’s funeral where the US President and our heir to the throne wore blue

I think "dark" suits for men (with black ties) are "correct" for funerals. Black suits are evening wear.

BF isn't much help and it doesn't seem like something to bother mum over atm

honestly hats aren’t a thing at CofE high church funerals. Dark, smart navy will be fine, I’m sure.

Dark smart navy will be fine I am sure.
Your presence will be appreciated.

Dark navy fine. No need for head covering. I go into churches a lot and never worn a head covering.

Navy is absolutely fine. Even in the high church.

@SarfLondonLad I used to go to a very high church. No one had their heads covered. And very few people do it in the RC church either.

I would have thought a formal dark navy outfit would be absolutely fine. What is BF going to be wearing himself?

But ultimately, if you're not sure and don't want BF to check with her then as PP said, you could get a black dress from Vinted for a few quid and just play it safe.