A person’s funeral can be an emotional and moving time for families. And for many, the clothes that they choose for their loved one are as important as any other aspect of the service. Often, the clothing that they wear as they lay to rest is their favorite outfit – perhaps a suit or gown that they may have worn on a special occasion in their life or a cozy sweater that was always draped over them when they were sick. And it’s not unusual to see the departed dressed in their most cherished pieces of jewelry, including wedding rings and other precious metal items.
Depending on the religion or culture, some people prefer to dress in dark colors, while others might have specific guidelines they want followed at their funeral and burial. If you are unsure of what to choose, it can be helpful to check if your loved one left any instructions in their will or other document regarding their death wishes.
If you do have instructions, it is a good idea to keep those in mind while also choosing an outfit that best represents your loved one’s unique personality. It is generally a good idea to avoid shoes, as they cannot be seen when only the top of the casket is open for a viewing. And be sure to consider whether any of your loved one’s belongings are too large to fit inside the casket.
Some people who have died in recent years might have been buried in a garment that resembles smart night gowns or pyjamas. This type of outfit is also known as a shroud and is available for purchase from some funeral homes.
You can also make your own burial shroud, which is something that people have done for thousands of years. It is not difficult, although you will need to be careful that you follow the instructions carefully. It is a good idea to use fabrics that are natural, especially if you are planning on a green burial or a natural grave site.
The fabric for a shroud is typically repurposed, such as a donated wedding dress or sheets. Using repurposed fabric is also a green option for a burial garment, as it is not adding to landfills.
KUER reporter Ciara Hulet interviewed Laura Powell, a Utah seamstress who has been sewing repurposed wedding dresses and donated baby clothes for nearly 10 years to make burial gowns for small infants. KUER: What kind of work does it take to make these gowns? Laura Powell: It’s a labor of love. I’ve been making these angel dresses for 10 years now and I don’t know what I would do without this amazing job.
These little dresses are needed because the clothing that is currently available to very small babies, like micro preemies and other tiny babies who die, is not as cute as these angel dresses. And I’ve found that parents are really grateful to have these beautiful angel gowns for their babies, so they can feel that connection to their baby.