Traditionally, a burial gown or shroud was used to cover the body of a deceased person. It was a simple white dress whose fabric was wrapped around the entire body. It was usually made from white cotton or linen. It had a hole in the back for dressing the deceased in a supine position. Today, burial gowns are made to look like dressing gowns or robes and can be tailored to fit men and women. They are made of materials that are biodegradable, such as cotton, linen and silk.
Some families prefer to have their deceased person buried in a complete set of clothing. The family may have a pair of shoes that they want the deceased to wear in the afterlife. It may also be important for the family to select clothing that reflects the deceased person’s style. This way, the mourners will remember their loved one fondly.
The Angel Gowns project is a nonprofit organization that turns donated wedding gowns into beautiful burial gowns for newborns. It is run by a former nurse, Marie Murphy, who saw a need for these gowns. It started with the University of Tennessee Medical Center and has since grown to service over 50 hospitals in the U.S.
There are many different designs available. Some are gender neutral and designed to be easy for the funeral director to dress the deceased. Others are patterned after classic layette patterns, such as an infant gown with a bib and ties. These are available in many sizes and colors.
Some of these gowns are designed to be easy to dress the deceased in a supine or prone position. The neckline can be trimmed to look like a lace or a boat neckline. There are also burial gowns for babies in simple round necklines.
Some people choose to wear jewelry or other personal possessions with their burial gown. It’s important to discuss this option with your family and funeral director. Wearing jewelry is not always necessary, but it can add to the memory of the deceased. It may also help you to dress the deceased in the clothing they wore while alive.
Choosing burial gowns that are made from natural fibers is a good idea, especially if the body is to be buried in a woodland burial ground. Natural burials require that the clothing be biodegradable and not made from synthetic materials, such as plastic or metal zippers. Some materials are biodegradable, but the material may not be suitable for the particular burial site.
There are also biodegradable burial shrouds, which are made from unbleached cotton or silk. A shroud can also be made from wool. It is important to check with your local funeral director about the best type of material to use for your particular burial site.
It’s also important to consider the size and style of the burial gown. Many funeral homes will be happy to help you choose the appropriate clothing for your loved one’s funeral.