Kilted funeral

**Sir William** · 21st February 10, 06:57 AM

Yesterday I attended a funeral for the drum major of the Charleston, SC, Police Pipe Band and a drummer with the City of Washington Pipe Band.

One band piped the casket and family into the church, the other band piped them out. Very well done all around.

I didn't know the young man (he was 30), though I know his parents. It was a pleasure seeing so many kilts. Besides the members of both pipe bands there were about a dozen others present in kilts, plus a number of tartan ties, and women in tartan skirts or shawls. I'm sure the family appreciated the gestures.

This being my first funeral in a kilt, I took the opportunity to see what others were wearing. I suspect most wore what they had, such as one man in day wear with a dress sporran.

I noticed several in black Argyle jackets, usually with a black tie, though I did see one gentleman wearing a tartan tie (same tartan as his kilt). Several others, such as myself, wore a tweed kilt jacket, and again I saw one gentleman sporting a tartan tie. White hose seemed to be the predominant choice by the non-band kilted.

**thescot** · 21st February 10, 08:26 AM

Thanks for that report. I would have liked to see such a turnout.

BTW, Semper Fi from a Marine of the same era as you.

**Riverkilt** · 21st February 10, 09:15 AM

A somber occasion, but we so often worry about being the only one in a kilt at a funeral service and being a distraction, glorious to have such a kilted turnout. I'm sure it was a comfort to the families.

**DesertCeltic** · 21st February 10, 10:05 AM

Gives one pause to think of those things and the eventuality of our own time here. I may rethink my last wishes and request that those in attendance wear kilts. Great feedback on what others were wearing.

**Chas** · 22nd February 10, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by Sir William

I suspect most wore what they had, such as one man in day wear with a dress sporran.

I think these are the wisest words and a great insight. You can't wear a kilt that you haven't got, likewise accessories. Being there is more important than looking good.

Regards

Chas

**cessna152towser** · 22nd February 10, 04:34 AM

Kilts are quite commonly worn nowadays at funerals here in Scotland.
Solid black kilts or Black Watch tartan are most commonly seen, but more colourful kilts would not be out of place at most funerals.
At the recent funeral of a leading figure in the Scottish scouting movement, scout leaders from all over the country attended, some wearing their scout uniforms with kilts, and the local Scout Fellowship Pipe Band also played.

**Jack Daw** · 22nd February 10, 04:52 AM

Wow, what a turn-out.

I went to a memoral service for the mother of a past president of our Houston Highland Games Association. The mother was also involved in our Scottish association. There were a lot of men from the HHGA and the games there, but the former president and I were the only ones kilted for some strange reason. I suppose the other mourners felt that it 'wasn't the place.'

**Lallans** · 22nd February 10, 07:29 AM

I'm afraid the only concession I have to such events is a set of black flash and of course a black bow tie and my black ghillies. It's rare enough to see anything but office or casual clothes in my part of the globe, even at funerals, that I suspect that even these few simple black things would be seen as quite a gesture.

**Jock Scot** · 22nd February 10, 08:12 AM

Interestingly we do not wear black flashes, I don't know why, as it is an obvious thing to do, but white shirt and black tie(not a bow tie) is usual. Nearly always tweed jackets of various greens and browns are seen and not until very recently are black, or, nearly black tweed jackets seen. It is rare to see silver buttons at a funeral, here.

**Lallans** · 22nd February 10, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Interestingly we do not wear black flashes, I don't know why, as it is an obvious thing to do, but white shirt and black tie(not a bow tie) is usual. Nearly always tweed jackets of various greens and browns are seen and not until very recently are black, or, nearly black tweed jackets seen. It is rare to see silver buttons at a funeral, here.

I have black flashes because they were on sale when I bought my second kilt and I thought they would be better for solemn occasions than the tartan flash that came with the kilt, which I tend to associate with hunting garb (that would be 'shooting' garb in British parlance). But why not a bow tie? I never found a regular long tie 'goes' with the shorter jackets or coats worn with kilts, I mean when looking in the mirror.