Behind the scenes it is a different job: night removals, heavy lifts, mortuary care and vehicle cleaning. Good funeral homes kit staff for both sides of the work, and keep the two wardrobes apart.
Matching on the day
Bearers stand side by side and are watched closely. Shirts, ties and outer layers should be identical in shade, which is harder than it sounds when items are bought from different places over the years. Ordering the same garments, in the same colour, from one source keeps a team matched.
White or pale grey shirts with a black or dark grey tie are traditional. Many firms now give women staff a fitted blouse and a matching scarf rather than a man's shirt and tie.
Graveside weather
Burials go ahead in sleet, wind and heavy rain, and bearers may stand outside for half an hour. Large black umbrellas held over the family are a quiet mark of care. A plain knitted jumper or cardigan under the suit jacket helps on cold days without changing the look.
Gloves for carrying the coffin, and spare gloves for wet days, should be kept in every limousine.
Removals and mortuary work
Collecting the deceased from homes, care homes and hospitals means lifting in tight spaces, often at night. Staff need dark, smart but practical clothing that can be cleaned, and disposable gloves on hand.
In the mortuary and preparation room, disposable coveralls and safety gloves protect staff and keep formal clothes clean. These should never be worn in front of families.
Where to put your logo
Restraint is everything. Many funeral homes put no visible logo on garments worn in front of families, or a very small tone-on-tone embroidery, such as black thread on a black jumper. A discreet embroidered logo on umbrellas is common and looks dignified. Branding can be bolder on behind-the-scenes kit, such as fleeces and jackets for removal staff and drivers, where a clear logo reassures care homes and hospitals about who is collecting.
Ordering for funeral directors
Most funeral directors start with oxford work shirts, corporate ties and scarves and women's blouses. You can order from one garment and add more as you take people on. The logo price drops at 9 and again at 25 garments, and every garment with a small logo counts towards it, so mixing styles and colours still gets the better price. Before anything is made, we embroider an actual sample of your logo and email you a photo to approve, or you can pop in to our Hull workshop to see it.
