I'm going to a funeral after easter (old lady, not too close emotionally to me but to my mother) and I want to "dress up" as a sign for respect. I'm probably going to wear dress pants, a long sleaved shirt and a jacket (in toned down colours), but what to do with my hair..?

I would do a simple updo. I think the knot in your avatar is lovely!

I'd say probably a very simple bun worn on the low side without a whole lot of sparkly decorative hairtoys. Just something quiet, demure and respectful that doesn't draw a lot of attention to itself.

As simple as possible and with simple hair toys as well, nothing fancy, that usually works best. A cinnamon bun, a braided bun held with only invisible pins or similar, would probably be my choice.

I agree with everyone else; simple is best in this instance.
Keep accessories to a minimum. Nothing flashy or sparkly.
Understated is always best for an occasion like this. :flower:

I personally don't think accessories would be appropriate. I would just pin it.

The last funeral I went to, (my husbands fathers) I wore my hair in a french twist held with a black fakarre. I think french twists are a very dressed up yet low key hairstyle. It seemed to work out.

I would suggest a french twist as others have said.

As several others have said, I'd suggest a French twist. You also might do a low knot of some kind, or maybe a pinned-under French braid. I'd say use either hairpins or a simple hair toy, like a plain fork/stick or dark clip.

I also don't know how long your hair is, but even some kind of nape-of-the-neck braided bun (using, as said, a plain stick or fork or clip or perhaps pins) would also be appropriate, to my mind.

HTH!

Any bun without fancy sparkling toys will do, I think. The easier the better... maybe a sleek sock bun or a cinnamon bun? Or an infinity bun - would be a nice symbol, even if no one else will notice ;)
Best would be if it´s secured invisible, or with a dark wooden fork/stick without too much carving or other decoration on.

Braided buns are lovely and classical but I´m not sure if it´s good to wear them at a funeral. They often lead into a conversation about hairstyling, maybe because they are a rare sight around here... not sure how that´s in your area. But when I wear a braided bun it´s attracting interest, while a cinnamon for example is completely ignored most of the time. Just something to consider :)

Are you wearing a hat or scarf? That tends to make my hair dressing decision for me at events like these.
Personally I'd wear a french plait or simply tie it back in a pony tail, simplicity and neatness being the key.

I would go with a low cinnamon bun or any sort of a very simple bun fastened just with pins.

The character of Connie in Godfather III had a nice low braided bun style that would be appropriate.. here's a link:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9a/Connie_corleone.jpg&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html%3Fcurid%3D8177776&h=399&w=365&sz=32&hl=en&start=11&tbnid=Q8B7tuux_7UtcM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgodfather%2B3%2Bconnie%26gbv%3D2%26nd sp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

I recently attended two funerals (my grandfather and my grandfather-in-law). In both occasions I was expected to dress formal, not neccesarily black. For both I chose the same outfit and hairdo. I wore black skirt and jacket with dark blue top and wore my hair in a logroll with a ficcare (jeans maxima). Wearing all black would for me be very unreal. The blue made it for me much more wearable and looked quite distinguished.
HTH

I'd probably go with a low bun held with pins or a low-key hairstick, or maybe just wear a simple french braid. I don't think it's inappropriate to dress it up a little bit, as long as you're not drawing undue attention to yourself. After all, you're looking nice as a sign of respect for her.

A very low key/simple bun with invisible hardware if possible.