AIBU to wear dark glasses to a funeral in the UK?

[noctu]

Do people generally wear dark glasses/sunglasses to funerals in the UK? In what context? e.g. - is it not OK in the church but OK at the burial itself?
Or a no-no completely?
Customs seem to differ between the USA and the UK and I would appreciate any guidance.
Many thanks.

I wear sunglasses if I need them, funeral or not. In winter the sun can be bright and very low in the sky, so if you are standing, or driving, facing it, it can dazzle so you can't see properly. I didn't realise there were rules about it. I have never thought of it being disrespectful, why would it be, and who to?

Are hearing aids allowed, or are there social rules about them that I didn't know about?

Battendownthesnacks

Sorry for your loss, OP.

Some awful responses on here - the posters in question should be ashamed.“

Yes, they should.

Is there a medical reason why you need to wear sunglasses?? Definitely a bit odd I'm afraid.

@Duchess379

Is there a medical reason why you need to wear sunglasses?? Definitely a bit odd I'm afraid.

Why does there need to be a medical reason?

Like lots of people I wear transitions lens all year round so if there is any sun I will have dark lenses.

I wear prescription sunglasses all year round.

Is there a medical reason why you need to wear sunglasses?? Definitely a bit odd I'm afraid.

Medical reason?
Do you count extreme grief?

I wear them to funerals if I'm going to blub. Blubbing is something I prefer to do in private and I can hide behind them. If you lot see me wearing sunglasses at a funeral then feel free to judge because it won't bother me.

Only outdoors.

Some bonkers answers on here!

OP, I'm very sorry for your loss, and I'd agree with those who say, 'do what you need to do' to get through the day...

For my part, I have no idea if people have worn sunglasses or not to funerals I've attended. I would expect some have and I've just never noticed. I've noticed people who have worn very standout outfits in contrast to the dress code, but never sunglasses.

I assist at church funerals and am present at lots. It's quite common for people, especially gents to wear sunglasses if they want to keep a stiff upper lip and are uncomfortable emoting in public.

I've seen it inside church, but quite often they remove them once they get inside, and pretty much always remove them if they are carrying the coffin.

@Embroidery

Sunglasses in uk are a beachwear thing only. Or shopping on a sunny day in summer. A frivolous item of clothing and therefore disrespectful at a funeral.

Also a bit jackie kennedy. Dressing up as jackie kennedy at a funeral is also very attention seeking and therefore very inappropriate.

This is a ridiculous post. I have glasses that automatically go dark when the sun is strong enough.

I have very sensitive eyes and the glasses help because they stop me squinting in bright sunshine. Regardless of whether I’m on a beach or not or the month of the year.

I definitely don’t look like Jackie O.

Op. Wear the glasses if you want. I hope the day goes as well as it can for you

@Duchess379

Is there a medical reason why you need to wear sunglasses?? Definitely a bit odd I'm afraid.

My eyes water in strong sunlight. Also my optician recommended me transition lenses so I could just wear one pair of glasses all the time.

Is that enough of a medical reason for you?

I'm always a blubbering wreck at funerals so I take sunglasses to wear outside. I wouldn't personally wear them inside the church but I think you'd be fine to wear afterwards.

That said, if you're immediate family, I think you have the right to wear them inside the church if you wish. (I come from quite a religious background and I've seen all sorts worn in church over the years).

Hope it goes ok.

I'm so sorry for your loss OP.

Wear them if you feel it would help. Only someone completely lacking empathy would judge what someone grieving was wearing at a funeral.

Im not sure if this would help, but as someone who gets very emotional at funerals and really struggles to hold it together, I use the 'categories game' to take my mind off it. Pick a category, eg food, and think of an item for each letter of the alphabet. Repeat for as long as needed.

I've used this a few times sadly. Means I appear much calmer and less emotional than I am. I didn't want to be sobbing as I would otherwise have been.

I’m sorry for your loss.

I’ve seen people in sunglasses at funerals and have always assumed it’s because they are very distressed and want to maintain some privacy, which seems perfectly reasonable.

Graveside maybe - and some glasses wearers have specs that adjust automatically and will go dark on bright winter days. But not the church

@Duchess379

Is there a medical reason why you need to wear sunglasses?? Definitely a bit odd I'm afraid.

Is there a medical reason to be a complete dick towards someone who is bereaved?

Wear the sunglasses when you leave the church. These individuals see fit to send you abusive messages, don’t worry about what they think of your eyewear!

I am sorry you are having such a horrid time.

I wear those transititons glasses that change to sunglasses so I'd assume someone else had those and therefore no control over it, although for a funeral I might switch to my none transititons glasses.

If the glasses give you comfort then wear them inside too if it helps.
A funeral can feel like you're on show in a way.
I found the long slow walk out with the coffin uncomfortable, people are there for support but I didn't want neighbours seeing me upset doing the last walk.
It is a weird time.
I'm sorry for your loss.

@Duchess379

Is there a medical reason why you need to wear sunglasses?? Definitely a bit odd I'm afraid.

No medical reason is needed. You just wear them if you want to/if you would feel more comfortable.

I would hope people would have enough decency to be concentrating on more important things than if someone is wearing sunglasses or not and why at a funeral.

Wear them.

Duchess379

Is there a medical reason why you need to wear sunglasses?? Definitely a bit odd I'm afraid.

Perhaps read the thread before you make such a crass comment.

OP thinking of you and definitely ok to use sunglasses as a shield. Love the sheik reason though too! Hope it goes as well as can be expected xx