What to wear to a Catholic funeral?

[EclecticShock]

I haven't been to a Catholic funeral before. What is acceptable attire?

outyougo I've never seen a Catholic church with carpet. Sounds too comfortable for us.

Glad you're feeling more confident. WRT the bidding prayer maybe the catholic ladies on the religion and philosophy board could help? Or maybe your local catholic priest? I'm guessing there are rules of form and such but I've really no idea.

what the heck is a Mantilla? been to many catholic funerals and never every once saw anything like that!

its not strickly all black, any dull darkish conservative smart wear is fine. Anything smart really so long as it doesn't look like you're celebrating!

same as any other funeral. I think overdoing the black can be a bit much.

Here monkey.

About half of the chapels I've been too have had carpet. Thinking about it, only the big ones don't .

Wearing a mantilla in London is the equivalent of a modern City banker sporting a bowler hat

Thanks mrslettuce, I was wondering about asking there. It's difficult as the examples I've found on the net all refer to Jesus, Mary or God, obviously... But seeing as dp doesn't have a faith, it's tricky to get the right balance between respectful of his dads faith and staying true to his own feelings... I'm sure we'll figure it out, might post there though. Hope I don't get laughed at

Liked the article outyougo, your name reminds me of my cat ;)

Na, it'd be fine. religious and philosophical types aren't know for laughing at the recently bereaved, it's not s&b you know .

Does your Dp have to write his own bidding prayer?

If so there are some nice ones here under "Prayers of the Faithful". Some of them like number 3 and number 7 don't mention God or Jesus apart from the final "Lord hear us..." which is the usual ending for a Catholic bidding prayer. These will give you an idea of the sort of thing that is read.

Hope you find something suitable although the Philosphy board people will definitely be able to sort you out.

apologies for hijacking, but is a mantilla old fashioned? or is it just 'wrong'? Why don't people wear them?

Thank you do much thewoollybackswife and mrslettuce

I've been to a couple of funerals expecting them to be sombre affairs, only to find that people were dressed in bright colours (sons in Tahiti shirts fgs) and they were a 'celebration of the life' sort of thing. I wish people would make it clear in advance what kind of event it is going to be, as it can be quite embarrassing to turn up in the wrong mood, not to mention wrongly dressed.