Kilts and funerals.

**Ugly Bear** · 21st September 05, 06:21 AM

I attended a relative's funeral kilted. My formal MacGregor, suitcoat, black necktie, plain white shirt, hose. I would not go to a funeral in a Prince Charlie, nor a bowtie. Funerals just aren't that dressy.

On the downside, if you are the only one attending a funeral kilted, everyone will assume that you're there to play the pipes. After being asked by the funeral director when I would be playing the pipes, I said simply, "Oh, I wouldn't do that to you." (My pipe playing is quite bad.)

**Graham** · 21st September 05, 07:47 AM

really? well, I wouldn't expect a silly comment like that from a funeral director!
where is the professionalism gone?

**jfellrath** · 21st September 05, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Graham

really? well, I wouldn't expect a silly comment like that from a funeral director!
where is the professionalism gone?

It's just what folks think when you show up in a kilt in the states a lot of the time, Graham. I think several folks thought I was the piper for my sister's wedding until the real piper showed up.

**highlander_Daz** · 21st September 05, 09:15 AM

I always wear black socks and a black shirt and dark tie at funerals, the last one I attended had Karaoke during the wake!!!

**jkdesq** · 21st September 05, 09:22 AM

I guess I would view a Prince Charlie to be inappropriate because it is evening wear. As another poster said, it would be like wearing a tuxedo. As funerals are usually in the day, evening dress isn't the right thing. I think an Argyll or Braemar jacket would be much better than a PC, but then with all the shiny buttons, I think they are the equivalent of a non-kilt wearer wearing morning clothes. People do not even wear morning clothes to see Her Majesty the Queen anymore. You're not going to see anyone in morning clothes at a funeral. I don't think an Argyll or Braemar are even the best.

I have seen one website that has a "crail" jacket. I never seen one, myself. That looks ideal to me. No shiny buttons.

I have seen photos of the actor who played Pippen in LTR wearing a jacket that looks like a suit coat reduced to an appropriate length for kilts -- no shiny buttons everyone. Is he wearing a crail jacket? If not, what is it and wear did he get it?

**flyv65** · 21st September 05, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by highlander_Daz

I always wear black socks and a black shirt and dark tie at funerals, the last one I attended had Karaoke during the wake!!!

Nice! I always felt that a wake should be celebration of the life of the departed, and less a mournful reminder of the family's loss. I've attended both types, and fail to see the advantages of the latter.

Bryan...then again, not having me sing Kareoke may be its own reward... :-)

**highlander_Daz** · 21st September 05, 10:41 AM

I think more and more people want their life rather than passing to be celebrated and funerals are almost becoming "fun" occasions, however I always assume they are going to be sombre and if there is a comedian or karaoke then its a bonus. so long as its done with respect. I think and Argyll is appropriate when I lay a Wreath at Armistice I wear an black Argyll, black tie and black socks.

**clancelt** · 21st September 05, 10:56 AM

I would be at a loss as to what "proper" dress for a funeral is. I would think it could be anything you wish to honor the lost friend/family that didn't show disrespect to the family. I would agree that a PC would look as out of place as a tux would. I have been to some that were very formal, others where 90% of the people were in t-shirts.

I only have one rule to go by that my dad taught me,

Irish funeral, bring your best whiskey
Scottish funeral, bring your best Scotch
anything else, bring a big box of tissue.

**Southern Breeze** · 21st September 05, 02:41 PM

Thanks for all the input.My current dress for funerals is a suit and tie,which will soon be replaced by a kilt.I guess my mind was on kilts when I checked those sites a while back. As a minister I probly go to more funerals in a month than most people do their whole life.

**An t-Ileach** · 21st September 05, 03:44 PM

Years ago I attended the funeral of an old friend of mine at Aros on Mull. Although some clans have a funeral tartan (such as the Douglas Grey) his didn't. The menfolk were wearing black or charcoal grey Argyll coats, white shirts, black ties, their usual red tartan kilts, black shoes, and the usual natural coloured socks with red flashes.

That was a fairly formal 'do' in the Islands in the early 90s with the coffin piped into the kirk and piped from the kirk to the grave. (It was, of course, raining).

Perhaps anything more dressy would be out of place.