FUNERAL DIRECTOR MONTHLY May 2014

FUNERAL DIRECTOR MONTHLY May 2014

- the business-to-business Volume 97 - Issue 05
magazine for
the funeral sector

Dressing for the job: a history of My Life in a Day: Kate Semple, Profile of Peter Gregory, Chair of the
funeral directors’ clothing memorial sculptor Board of Examiners

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Dressing for the job
FEATURE: DRESSING FOR THE JOB
How funeral directors’ clothing has
changed throughout the centuries

By Rebecca Thomas,
Business student, Essex University

As NAFD members with a business going back many generations will These roles began to disappear over time,
know, the professional clothing of a funeral director has always been with mutes and the use of trays becoming
steeped in ceremony and formality. However, changes in attitudes in infrequent towards the end of the Victorian
modern times could stand to alter the face of what members of the period.
industry wear to carry out their duties.
By the turn of the 20th Century, as
As the treatment of a deceased body is heavy black coats that buttoned at the side these images from CJP Field of Haine
seen as ceremonial, this has been reflected instead of the front. The ceremonial roles & Co in 1904 and Michael Field in 1850
in the choice of professional garments involved in the funeral procedure were show, funeral workwear was becoming
throughout history. represented through the fashions of the considerably more practical and sober, a
time and symbolised the meaning of the trend that was cemented by the arrival of
Modern funeral directing grew from the event, as well as respect for the deceased World War I.
tradition of coffins being built by craftsmen, and their family.
often carpenters and upholsterers.
However, prior to this during the reigns of
Queen Elizabeth I and Henry VII, heraldic
funerals for nobility and Royalty sought to
preserve the status of the dead in death as
well as in life and, according to the Heraldic
Society, it was this position in society that
dictated what was worn by those arranging
the funeral.

Skip forward a couple of hundred years and,
in the early 19th Century, accessories for
the role were numerous and extravagant.
In particular, the role of the mute - one who
stood outside a house to signify a death -
would have worn top hats with flowing hat
bands.

At that time, other roles of an undertaker This 19th century image depicts the pomp and ceremony of a funeral, complete with
required the carrying of ostrich feathers ostrich plumage
(sometimes four-foot tiers of plumage,
carried on trays or hats), batons or
wands. Others were decorated with wide
sashes over their shoulders and starched
collars, as well as the ubiquitous black tie.
Additionally, the coachmen involved wore

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Uniformed staff outside CPJ Field family business Haine & Son, in 1904 don dark togas. This has continued throughout
the centuries, as an expression of sadness at
The need for rationing across Britain and The clothing of funeral directors is largely the death. Indeed, in 19th Century England,
general changes in society led to a diminishing shaped by both the nature of the role - the need widows were expected to wear black attire
of many of what were seen as excesses in of efficiency and service dictating formal attire - for up to four years after the passing of their
funeral director attire. The uniform of directors and the corresponding attire of those mourning husband. Early removal of the black garments
became restrained, with the use of long coats the deceased. For many centuries, mourners suggested disrespect to the deceased and, in
and wing collars. Trousers, as they are currently, have typically worn black. This tradition is some circumstances, promiscuity.
were black or pin-striped. Most wore top hats, thought to date back as far as the times of the
although bowler styles were also used. Roman Empire, when those in mourning would However, this trend has been changing in recent
times, with the reinvention of the typical ‘funeral’
As motor transport became commonplace, Mourners dressed in military uniform for idea. Many mourners now choose to instead
coachmen and their traditional clothing were the funeral of Colin Blair, although funeral celebrate the life of their loved ones, focusing
replaced with drivers who typically wore the directing staff remained in their usual attire. on happier moments instead of the sadness of
same as their colleagues although later in the death. This has been extended to funeral attire,
20th Century, some began to wear caps. In with many now insisting on bright colours being
the period after World War II, wider changes in worn. This change in attitudes by mourners
fashion heavily influenced and restrained the has the potential to greatly change the attire
clothing of funeral directors as lighter suits of funeral directors. The differences, thus far,
were implemented, as well as short jackets have been relatively minimal, though change is
replacing long coats, although overcoats are still evident as commented by funeral historian Dr
commonplace in winter. Brian Parsons who states: “I have known staff
not to wear ties, wear coloured/fancy ties and
Today, in the way roles have become simpler also dress in denim.”
and less ceremonial, funeral director attire is as
simple, distinctly formal, and somewhat sombre. The movement is prompting a larger change in
Generally, funeral director clothing is dictated the industry, as the funeral experience becomes
by the individual image of a business, and how distinctly more personalised.
they wish to be perceived. Minor variations in
style and design between different firms exist, NAFD members provided ample evidence of
such as slightly wider or narrower pinstripes on the increasingly individualised nature of the
trousers. . funeral sector for the launch of My Funeral

Female funeral directors, now growing swiftly
in numbers across the profession, have less
deviation in attire. Whilst women can wear skirts,
if desired, all other garments are transferable
between genders, maintaining a cohesive image
of the directorial role.

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Wishes in January, with everything perhaps, symbolic of the changing
from colour-specific funerals to ideas in the industry in which
cowboy and Star Wars costumers the dark formality of a funeral is
requested of mourners. becoming challenged - much of
the historical flourishes and pomp
Indeed, a recent funeral conducted having already diminished.
by Thomas Brown of Broxburn
recently had a military theme. Co-operative Funeralcare has also
Mourners dressed in military embraced this change noting that
uniforms to pay tribute to Colin Blair, “some families have requested
who was a military enthusiast. The that funeral directors do not wear
coffin was carried to the cemetery black, or wear a particular coloured
in a World War II Dodge truck used tie”. A funeral in Tyne & Wear by
in the Normandy Landings. The Co-operative Funeralcare saw the
funeral cortege was a procession funeral directors resplendent in
of ex-Armed Forces vehicles. orange ties.

This new approach to funeral However, for every funeral which
clothing is no longer exclusive to seeks to celebrate a life in vivid
mourners, but is spreading among Technicolor, there is an equal
funeral directors too. As the face of number at which the tradition and
the industry changes, there’s less sombre formality of the funeral
call for formality and procedure and director’s more usual attire is both
more for personalisation, paying a appreciated and required by the
specialised tribute to a loved one. family.
Indeed, funeral directors are using
uniform to distinguish themselves So, whilst there shouldn’t be any
nowadays. expectations of NAFD members
donning jeans for their next
One such example is Howard professional engagement, perhaps
Hodgson & Son in Birmingham it’s time to invest in some colourful
which, in the past few decades, ties?
has introduced grey suits with
blue and grey striped ties. This Mr Chadwick of Tomlinson’s, pictured in 1904
deviation from the standard black/
pin striped façade is a big move,
the change to lighter colours,

An early Twentieth Century
country funeral