…To buy a ‘funeral coat’?

[Goatinthegarden]

Maybe this is a bit of a bizarre question, but I have a funeral to attend shortly. Previous funerals I have been to have either been in warmer months, or we have been requested not to wear black.

I’m attending a funeral next week and think I should wear all black. I have appropriate shoes and dress bought for a previous funeral, but I don’t own a black coat. All of the very smart black coats I am finding online are about £200-300, (which is a bit more than I would usually pay for a coat), but I’m wondering if it would be sensible to buy a very smart, very timeless coat to keep in the wardrobe for the next twenty odd years just for funerals. Or have I just taken total leave of my senses?

There doesn’t seem to be as much choice as I would have expected either, do people not bother with traditional funeral attire anymore?

YANBU every adult should keep formal funeral attire in their wardrobes.

YABU what a weird, morbid thing to do, just wear something else or buy something cheaper, no one will mind.

I have a fabulous charcoal grey wool coat that I found in a charity shop for £20 five years ago. It's done me for two winter funerals accessorised with my god mother's silver and pearl brooch. For regular wear, I wear it with a brighter scarf. I wouldn't spend £200 on something to hang in a cupboard but I don't have that much disposable income.

I good quality, black coat is so useful and timeless

I’d definitely get one

I bought a black coat for my mum's funeral (a year ago). It was just an M&S jobbie and it hasn't been worn since.

I guess it will come out for the next funeral

I have a funeral coat op that I've had for almost 20 years. But it was from Dorothy Perkins I think and was about £50.

But it's definitely a good investment - I've worn it many time rather sadly.

I have good navy coat. I didn't buy it for funerals but for all formal occasions, many years ago (I don't think the good coat is a thing the way it used to be?). I shall keep it forever.

I got a charcoal grey one from Asda of all places. Has wool in, zip and belted and looks really nice
I always wear the same dress which is a Boden one. Remember saying to my dad "I'm 34 and have a funeral dress because I've been to more funerals than weddings in my life"

Surely there's a 3rd option - buy the smart black coat and wear it for other occasions not just funerals! The chance it will still fit you, stay smart, and not go completely out of style for the next 10-20 years means (particularly if you hopefully don't go to many funerals) is pretty low which means a high cost per wear.

Saying that I did buy a smart black coat for my granddads funeral 3 years ago which I have only worn twice since (once for another funeral) so I'm not against having specific funeral wear, BUT I could have worn it on other occasions, I just run hot so am not a big coat wearer, plus it was less than £30 from Matalan. It's actually a really nice coat, I would suggest trying a few cheaper places like supermarkets etc. If you're looking for a 'classic' plainish coat they are much of a muchness and I would struggle to spend £300 on one.

At one point I had a funeral outfit including the jacket on a specific hanger in my wardrobe. It felt like I had a funeral per month!

It's not a bad idea, if you can afford it.

I have a black crepe ‘duster’ coat for funerals which I bought from Winser London. Not as heavy or expensive as a traditional coat, but does the job perfectly

I have a funeral coat and I'm glad of it, it's come in handy. I didn't actually buy it though, it was in a bag of clothes my sister gave to me a few years ago. It's not actually black, it's a very dark charcoal but I think it looks better and breaks up the rest of my black outfit.

I wouldn’t buy a “funeral” coat but there’s nothing wrong with buying a lovely black or dark navy coat that you love for this winter that you can also wear to this funeral? Just make sure you buy something that suits your style, that is a lovely coat you can wear to work or out to dinner in winter - don’t choose a style that seems like an appropriate “funeral costume” just for this one off thing.

I agree that a decent black coat is pretty timeless.
As long as it isn't "high fashion" in some way (so will therefore be 'out of fashion' soo - though I don't think coats really 'date' like most other clothes) and as long as it isn't a really tight, skinny fit, then you can wear it for 30 years of more.

Indeed, I inherited my Mum's black coat from her 20 years ago. I do wear it sometimes at night or on the other odd occasion I need a smarter coat, but it has done me for dozens and dozens of funerals and has years left in it yet.

Wouldn't something like this do, especially if only be worn a handful of timeswww.google.com/shopping/product/16917579566971095692?q=black+trench+coat+women&client=ms-android-google&biw=412&bih=733&tbs=cat:5598,vw:g,init_ar:SgVKAwjeK0oKUggIqqA5IKygOUoMUgoIrpWJAiC2lYkCSgeyBAQInbQg,ss:44&prmd=sinxv&sxsrf=AOaemvJph1c6s_v8kE7ESOoPeCg1RiY_Zg:1635279909811&prds=eto:9217306480755576036_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1

I had to attend a funeral in December a couple of years ago and had nothing suitable. Trip to 2 charity shops and I had a lovely black wool coat and scarf and black handbag. All as new for less than £20. I have kept them specifically for funerals.

[quote HalzTangz]Wouldn't something like this do, especially if only be worn a handful of timeswww.google.com/shopping/product/16917579566971095692?q=black+trench+coat+women&client=ms-android-google&biw=412&bih=733&tbs=cat:5598,vw:g,init_ar:SgVKAwjeK0oKUggIqqA5IKygOUoMUgoIrpWJAiC2lYkCSgeyBAQInbQg,ss:44&prmd=sinxv&sxsrf=AOaemvJph1c6s_v8kE7ESOoPeCg1RiY_Zg:1635279909811&prds=eto:9217306480755576036_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1[/quote]
www.google.com/shopping/product/16917579566971095692?q=black+trench+coat+women&client=ms-android-google&biw=412&bih=733&tbs=cat:5598,vw:g,init_ar:SgVKAwjeK0oKUggIqqA5IKygOUoMUgoIrpWJAiC2lYkCSgeyBAQInbQg,ss:44&prmd=sinxv&sxsrf=AOaemvJph1c6s_v8kE7ESOoPeCg1RiY_Zg:1635279909811&prds=eto:9217306480755576036_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1

I have a funeral coat.

It’s furry and quite dramatic. Got it for my ex-h’s funeral when I felt like being quite dramatic.

If I really was only going to wear it for funerals I’d only spend £50 at next or M&S. But if you feel the need to spend £300 go for it.

I have two formal wool coats that I use for funerals or anywhere I want to look smart , one grey and one black that I bought in Uniqlo - they still have similar for under £100

I remember arriving late to a funeral service and slipping in at the back of the church.
I wasn’t able to recognize many people from behind but I noticed one woman in a gorgeous black Cossack style coat (nipped in waist with a fur style collar and cuffs) and thought how suitably dressed she was for a service that was mostly outdoors and and not many people would see what you had on underneath.
She turned around and it was my darling cousin who I hadn’t seen for years!

So I think if you’re going to be a visible member of the funeral service and mostly seen from behind, a stylish coat would be a good investment.

BTW I was much less smart and had that “taint of train” about me, but nobody thought any the less of me and the effort I’d made to pay my respects.

I do, I have a black funeral coat, black dress and black bolero type thing for my shoulders.

Bought from Wallis and one of the Debenhams concessions about 6 years ago for my DGM’s funeral. Sadly I’ve had to wear it several times since, and will have to again soon.

It’s the sort of thing you should have in your wardrobe, in my view, if you can afford it. It’s one less thing to think about when you’re bereaved, and a simple style doesn’t date.

M&S or John Lewis might be a good place to look, or Next, Dorothy Perkins etc. Debenhams was great for things like this.

I have 2 funeral dresses (summer and winter). It's fab, you never have to think about what to wear. They're a bit stretchy so work well with some weight fluctuation. I also have 1 pair of funeral shoes.

I also have 22 aunts and uncles (left) that are 75+.

I would say that a good quality timeless formal coat is a good investment for many occasions. Black goes with anything so you can wear it for a winter wedding (coats dont count on the "no black rule" which I am not sure is a thing these days anyway!) or party as well as a funeral.

A black coat is useful but you can buy something for less than £50 in a supermarket and if you don't wear it very often it will keep looking smart for a long time.

You really can't think of anything better to spend your money on than a funeral coat? Money is just wasted on some people..

Check tkmaxx's website. I got a chemins blancs wool coat on there for a funeral - rrp was like 250 but it was only 80 quid. Its black, three quarter and plain classic cut. It was meant purely for the funeral but I love it, and have worn it loads since. It looks great with everything, smart or just casual with jeans and trainers.