Funeral Black Armband – Black Mourning Arm Band – Military/Police/Fire/EMS – Elastic 2 Inches Wide by 14 Inches Long (Unhooked) with Secure Hook & Loop Closure

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While you do not technically have to dress up, failing to do so may be interpreted as disrespectful to the deceased. An obvious exception would be if the hosts of the event have specifically requested more casual attire.

Viewings are usually held a few days prior to the funeral and are scheduled to last for several hours. Often, because of their extended timeframe, it can be more convenient to attend a viewing than the actual funeral or memorial service. If the only suit you have is a navy blue pinstripe, then yes, that is what you should wear. However, pinstripes say “business,” and there should be nothing businesslike about a funeral. Solid charcoal gray is better.

When you attend a wake or funeral, do not be concerned about what you must or mustn’t say; often, a respectful smile and a warm hug or stroke of the arm or firm clutching of hands says much more than any trite words could possibly convey. The physical support translates into what the other person needs. In Sweden this never happens or at least very seldom: Closed coffin, mostly sinks down to the cellar (if there is a crematorium in the building), or discretely taken away by the undertakers, after the service. A solid white shirt is preferred, but light blue can also be acceptable. French cuffs, because of their formality, are a benefit but not essential.

Officers should wear mourning bands when an officer from a nearby jurisdiction loses their life in the line of duty. They begin wearing mourning bands on the date of the officer’s death and do not remove them until after said officer’s burial. The final arbiters of what should be worn at a funeral or memorial service will always be the family or friends hosting the event. It is entirely possible that the deceased was an extremely casual person who would not want the bereaved to dress up to honor them. In such cases, the hosts will make an alternative dress code clear. Again, these are basic guidelines by which many agencies and officers should abide. However, some choose to modify them according to their preferences. If the hosts of the funerary event make an explicit request as to dress, follow it, even if its breaks conventional mourning rules. You never want to overshadow the deceased’s family by being overdressed. If no such explicit statement is made, you can feel comfortable conforming to the following guidelines. Time of Year A Chinese cemetery in summer. [Image Credit: Wikimedia] A German cemetery in winter [Image Credit: Wikimedia] Law enforcement agencies and officers were not the first groups to wear some form of a mourning band. Although there is no official consensus on the subject, many believe formally wearing mourning bands began sometime around 1770 in England.There are no official rules regarding how one should wear a mourning band. However, there are guidelines most police officers and departments generally agree upon. They include the following: