A Dead Man's Necktie - Funeral Etiquette

"Trending in the afterlife - funeral neckties, a skeleton wearing a tie"

A dead man wearing a necktie to meet the creator!

What necktie will you wear to your funeral?

Funeral Etiquette, what to wear to show respect for the departed.  You may hate ties but showing up at a funeral in casual attire is tacky.  And what about the departed presuming the "no longer among the living" is not a female what kind of attire would he adorn.  You may have said you wouldn't be caught dead wearing a tie.  However, there is one time in your life, well actually in this case after your life that you may wear a necktie. Regarding your own funeral attire you will not have much of a choice in the matter because you will not be among the living. Despite your desires you may not even get to decide what kind of tie to adorn yourself with, unless you make arrangements before you kick the bucket. That is usually not something that a man tends to think about - a funeral necktie for the departed or not, what to wear after you are dead?  And what should you wear while you are among the living attending a funeral?

Pallbearers in uniform dress 

Funerals are prominent occasion for men wearing suits and neckties.  Not only for the men showing up to pay their respect for the laid to rest, but for the gentleman headed 6 feet under; wearing a necktie is considered the way to leave this life.  Not all men will be dressed in a suit and tie at their funeral and as well not all men will wear a suit and tie while attending a funeral but the men with style and character will.  For the living in western culture funeral etiquette usually prescribes men to wear black, navy or dark grey suit, white shirt and a black necktie; or a dark conservative small pattern tie that is not colorful or loud, certainly not a conversation or novelty necktie and a handkerchief just in case a lady at your side becomes in need of one to wipe away tears.

Pallbearers should wear a suit and necktie and the ties should match if possible.  This uniform style would usually be at the request of the family.  Normally a black tie is called for however there have been unique occasions where a novelty theme necktie would be appropriate.  In the case of a Spiderman fan being laid to rest the family may acquire Marvel Comics Spiderman neckties; or possibly the surviving loved ones want to send a special message by having the pall bearers wear something fun like an art necktie.  Every man should own at least one suit for showing respect on the occasion of a funeral. As for the deceased the apparel does not have to be so respectful, a Looney Tunes Marvin the Martian tie or a Hawaiian tie without a suit could be the ticket. One thing is certain most men are not buried in T shirts.

The man in the coffin makes no argument or contest, he does not laugh or cry he is just the remnants of a life passed. Since most men don't make their funeral attire style known to others ( as it is just too morbid a subject ) their surviving loved ones make the fashion decisions for them.  If the deceased has no loved ones then the funeral director - mortician makes the choices. This may not seem so troubling however some men would not want to leave this life to meet the creator dressed in something that is not of their liking. The mortician takes great care to orchestrate a hue of color and style taking great care to dress and groom the departed making the lifeless appear convincingly life-like.  Those little details like fashion accessories, or a special themed tie pin distinguish a persons character and personality.

Some men, especially surfers would prefer to end their mortal journey in a Hawaiian shirt while others want to leave their mortal life in more formal attire - a suit and tie, maybe the surfer would be comfortable wearing a Hawaiian print necktie.  I would prefer a black tuxedo and jacquard pattern black silk tie.  It there is any truth to the rumors of demons and devilish souls that are waiting to derail the otherwise un-worldly venture it would be decisive to be dressed to "kill" ( well in this case that cliche doesn't fit well ).    

Something related and fairly unusual to think about is the safety coffin.  This is a coffin fitted with a latch inside so that if you are accidentally buried alive you will be able to open the casket and escape "death" literally.  In the 18th and 19th century during the cholera epidemic there were great fears of being buried alive.  In the 13th century philosopher John Duns Scotus escaped from his casket after being prematurely sent to the afterlife and about 150 years ago Edgar Allen Poe wrote "The Premature Burial," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Cask of Amonitillado" dealing with the subject of un-timely funerals.   Sometimes life or in this case death is stranger than fiction. 
   

The JFK Funeral - the end of Camelot

Therefore the illustration above makes perfect sense considering the fact that timely or not, not everyone wants to leave this life for one reason or another.   Unfinished business, an ax to grind, or maybe this "gent" hated that red tie that the grave digger tied around his neck and he wanted to trade for something a little less provocative.

Funeral Etiquette: What to wear and how to behave at Gentleman's Gazette.  The complete resource for flowers, traditions, letters of condolence 

Checkout our cool ties at Nice Tie Store  

A Serious Tiger Sporting a Wild Tie

A tiger wearing a tiger tie, what else?

A tiger tie tied properly around this tiger's neck

You may wonder what would make a tiger wear a necktie.   In the jungle the competition is stiff for mating and other serious business like acquiring food.  As in the urban jungle where men fight for dollars, women, and stature, wildlife face a never ending battle for survival.   In the urban jungle men who are serious contenders wear neckties which gives them the edge in the world of business and as well in attracting classy women for mating.  

An animal print tiger necktie, I would not imagine a tiger wearing any other tie.  In 1969 Playwright Don Petersen's play, "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie" portrayed a drug rehabilitation center which was more like a prison for young junkies.  The title of the play is taken from a speech by the character Fullendorf:  “Does a tiger wear a necktie?  It ain’t for us to go straight.  We’re like the tigers.  We always chucked on raw meat.  We was raised on it, and we like it.”  Al Pacino won a Tony Award for best supporting actor which he accepted inmost modest manner.

Al Pacino wins Tony Award for "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?"

Animal Print Neckties at Nice Tie Store

A Giraffe Businessman Ties a Tie For Work

If you ever had the urge to complain about having to wear a necktie you may be surprised to see a giraffe tie a necktie.  This very creative TV ad for Residence Inn Marriot illustrates the need for a quality place to prepare for business.   Check out a new post we did How Should A Giraffe Tien His Necktie

“The apparel oft proclaims the man," ( And Giraffes)  William Shakespeare - poet, and dramatist -  from Hamlet - trending from1564 - 1616.“

Jeffrey Hunter
Nice Tie Store

Why Jehovah’s Witness Men Wear Neckties

Jehovah's Witness Door to Door Minister

You have seen them for sure, those tireless guys that come to your door spreading the message of their religious beliefs.  The Jehovah's Witness men wear neckties when they conduct the door to door ministries which surely makes them unmistakable and at the very least non threatening.  With their New World Translation Holy Bible in hand and a briefcase with literature that helps explain the lessons and the truths about God and Jesus they knock on door after door after door with certain conviction.

My landlord is a Jehovah’s Witness, who along with his friends, visits me often.  These guys are most welcome in my home as I am like most people searching for answers and truths in this crazy world we find ourselves in.  I asked him the other day why he and his friend’s wear neckties when they hit the streets.   His answer was as not what I expected.  With great pride he answered quite exactly, “The reason I wear a tie is because I am representative of the most highest creator of the universe, Jehovah God.”  I would have thought that the response would have been a bit simpler - like he just wanted to look respectful. I replied, "I thought that maybe you did not want to be mistaken for a vacuum cleaner salesman."    Of course I had to have a little fun with him.

Why Jevohvah's Witness Men Wear Ties 

At bible study, on Sundays at church, at minister school on Fridays and almost every other day the Jehovah’s Witness men wear a necktie.  As one of my landlords fellow ministers explained; in their heart they have to dignify the creator and as well show respect to those persons that they are so humbly enlightening.   I would imagine that they want to be as professional as possible about this and what better way to accomplish that than by wearing a necktie.  It is a serious mission they undertake and the last thing that a Jehovah’s Witness Minister wants, is to look like anything less than a gentlemen with integrity and good will.

Do you hate Suits and Ties

Image from "Do you wear a leash to work?"

Concerning wearing neckties - comment on May 22, "Cant stand suits or ties, I wont wear them even to interviews."  Our post on March 11, 2011 - Ties – Some Men Hate Them, Some Men Love Them

Once and a while I cross the line and become politcal in my opinions.  I am sorry if I offend anyone,  Jeffrey Hunter.

If you love neckties or not, you can apprectae this response.  And no, I do not wear a necktie every day.

My reply:   Everyone has the right to choose what they like or hate. That is what makes the world go around. That will always be, unless the Neo-Cons, the Illuminati, the Bushs, and their pals on Wall Street get their way with the New World Order. Then wearing a tie or not will not a be a big deal - because there will be no choice on anything and life will be basically a big joke.
 
Introduction to the Illuminati
 
The Coming New World Order
 
Video.New World Order