What Is the Dress Code for a Non-Muslim Attending a Muslim Funeral?

A man should wear conservative attire, such as trousers and a dress shirt, in basic colors such as black and white to a Muslim funeral. Non-Muslim women are not required to wear a hijab but should wear a head covering and a dress or skirt that covers the knees.

Men don’t have to wear jackets and ties to Muslim funeral services, but they should refrain from wearing jeans. Women’s dresses or tops should have sleeves out of respect for typical Muslim modesty standards. When a Muslim funeral is held inside a mosque, attendees must remove their shoes before entering and sit with members of their gender. For this reason, it’s wise to wear socks to the service, although they shouldn’t have any holes in them or feature flashy designs or colors that draw attention to the wearer. Women may also opt to wear stockings. It’s best not to wear a visible religious symbol, such as a cross or a Star of David, to a Muslim funeral.

Following a death, family members enter into a mourning period that lasts several days, during which time they wear black. Widowed wives traditionally continue to wear black attire for a full year. Although non-family members of the deceased aren’t required to participate in this formal mourning period, it’s best not to wear clothing that is too bright or flashy when visiting a family member who is in mourning.