Should you still wear black for a funeral?

[outofnothing]

friend's dad has died and the funeral is next week. He has been ill for several years and was 85.
I don't have any black clothes at all and don't really want to buy anything new as it's not a colour I would wear again.
Is it still the done thing to wear black?

You would be equally fine with navy, bottle green, charcoal - any darkish sober colour. I would err on the side of tradition, especially for an elderly person and in the absence of any specific instruction - ie not to wear mourning clothes or to wear pink.

However, most important thing is to support your friend, so if you can't do dark, do as smart as you can manage, and turn up.

Black, navy or dark clothing unless otherwise specified. Also, looking formal rather than casual

It can be a little culture dependent but I think British funerals are moving away from this tradition. If in doubt go with smart and sombre.

Personally, I think any colour, aside from anything really bright or garish, is fine. Just make sure the outfit is modest and well put together, no short skirts, no cleavage showing, etc.

Definitely dark and smart. Black, dark grey, navy all fine.
You shouldn’t really wear colour unless the family have asked specifically.

I wore navy to my Mils funeral. It was dark and respectful. I think that is the key really.

Thanks very much for the comments. I've got a plain, navy dress which I think will be ok. As you say it's important to be appropriate and respectful.

I have only worn black at funerals and only seen others wear black tbh. All in England. I haven't seen this just dark colours thing.
Can you get at least a black jacket from a charity shop?

Plain navy dress sounds perfect.

I've been to quite a lot of funerals. I wear something smart, sober and totally unmemorable, but rarely black. Unless the family have said otherwise, a navy dress sounds fine.

Don't really want a black jacket, definitely going to wear my navy dress!

Safest is black or navy unless specified. I’ve been to quite a few funerals that have asked for bright colours recently and it felt a lot more relaxed and happier. There is something about everyone in black that does set a different tone.

Just ask your friend what the dress code is. I’ve been to three funerals this year, sadly, and they were al ‘wear what you want ‘ affairs. Some people wore black, but lots didn’t.

I wouldn’t ask your friend about something rather trivial when she’s grieving. The navy will be perfect. If people want bright colours, they say so. If no one has, it’s darker colours. That’s fairly easy to follow.