Burial Gowns and Clothes Help Ease Grief
When a loved one passes away, many families are left with important decisions to make. This includes the choice of attire for their final goodbye. It’s not uncommon for people to dress a loved one in their “Sunday best” or something that holds sentimental value. Whether it’s a favorite football shirt or comfy pajamas, the clothes that someone is buried in can have a powerful impact on mourners. Traditionally, clothing for funerals and burial services leans towards formality. Men are often dressed in a suit and tie, while women typically wear a gown or skirt and blouse. However, these options don’t have to align with a person’s culture or personal style. For example, if a loved one is a dedicated fisherman, a pair of rubber waders and a hat with their fishing hooks and flies may be the perfect final outfit. Some programs that provide burial apparel offer a selection of styles for different cultural backgrounds. Others cater to specific needs such as green funerals or woodland burial grounds. Most of these options are available through a funeral director or directly from the manufacturer. Burial garments can be made out of a variety of materials, including cotton, bamboo or calico. They are typically designed with false shirt fronts and other embellishments to resemble day-wear or eveningwear. They also come in different sizes to accommodate newborns, infants, and children. They are often worn during the wake or viewing as well as in a casket. Choosing the right attire can be especially difficult when a family has lost an infant or small child. Those looking to help ease the grief of these families can do so by donating or volunteering their time with organizations that create burial attire. Some of these programs utilize donated wedding dresses, while others are run by volunteers who cut and sew the garments themselves. When Dawn Jones lost her son, Mattie, to a premature birth, she searched for a local group that could help her dress him for his funeral and memorial service. When she couldn’t find one, she started her own. Mattie’s Memory now makes burial wraps, quilts and ornaments for other grieving mothers. Those who wish to donate can do so by checking the specific donation guidelines on each organization’s website. Many of these groups rely on volunteers to help sew the garments and can offer training for those who want to do so. Monetary contributions are also accepted and can help cover shipping costs and other expenses, allowing these programs to continue providing free burial garments for bereaved families. Those who aren’t able to donate or volunteer can still support these organizations by spreading the word. These efforts are a powerful reminder that compassion and kindness can have a huge impact on those in need.