The death of a loved one can be a traumatic and confusing time for those who are left behind. In addition to coordinating funeral or memorial services, the grieving family must also decide on clothing for the deceased. This decision is based on a variety of factors, including the person’s wishes and cultural traditions. Traditionally, people have dressed their dead in nice clothes. The choice of apparel can also be influenced by the environment in which the body is buried. Some families choose traditional clothes, like suits and dress shirts, while others may opt for more casual clothing that is meaningful to their loved one.
For those who prefer a natural burial, there are burial shrouds that resemble a light linen cloth, ideal for the type of earth-friendly funeral that is popular in some regions. These garments are typically crafted from ecologically produced fabrics and feature buttons made of nacre, a material that is naturally biodegradable. The gowns are available in a range of colors, sizes and styles, and can be worn by both men and women.
Some of the most heartbreaking cases involve infants who die at a very young age, often before their first birthdays. For these infants, a special kind of gown is designed to help with the dressing process and offer a dignified cover for the tiny bodies. One Wisconsin mother is using her sewing skills to honor the life of her own stillborn baby by repurposing wedding dresses into burial gowns for babies who were born too soon.
Hazel Jones’ workshop used to be part of her living room, but now she uses it to cut down formal gowns that she uses to make burial wraps and gowns for babies who die too soon. She is among a group of volunteers called Little Angel Gowns who sew these garments for mothers who have lost their children. The volunteers collect wedding dresses, prom gowns and First Communion dresses from friends and neighbors, aiming to make around 35 burial gowns each month for families who need them.
Many of these families are unable to afford a traditional funeral dress or shroud for their loved ones, but the volunteers try to make it as accessible as possible. They offer different color and style options, as well as a unisex gown for larger babies and a range of sizes from two to eight pounds. They also make burial blankets and memory kits for those who have lost a child. The organization has helped more than 3,800 families. The Little Angel Gowns project is supported by donations from the public and local churches. Its volunteers are also grateful to the community for donating the dresses and other materials. To donate a dress, contact the local chapter of Little Angel Gowns. The group has a Facebook page and website. They accept a wide variety of fabrics, including silk, lace and velvet. Each garment takes a few hours to create, and the volunteers work in pairs to ensure that each is completed on schedule.