When someone dies, they are often laid to rest in clothing that is both personal and meaningful. While the final visual of a loved one can be a bittersweet experience for survivors, the attire can help preserve a memory and reflect their lifelong style and personality. Choosing burial clothes requires careful thought and attention to detail, especially since the clothing is likely to remain in a rigid state for quite some time after death.
The first thing to consider when selecting clothing for a loved one is their own personal style. Think about the types of clothes they wore, including favourite outfits, colours and patterns. It is also important to remember that some religious practices may have specific dress requirements, so it is best to check with your faith leader or family members before choosing attire.
For men, a suit is traditionally worn and for women, a funeral dress or gown is usually worn. While the traditional attire can be very humbling, recent funeral trends have been moving away from the more formal look and towards more personalization, such as adding a special touch like a favorite ribbon or pin. It is also common to add personal items, such as a favourite book or even a wedding ring. This can be done by pinning them to the fabric or by using an adhesive like Scotch tape.
While it is possible to buy clothing for a loved one from a funeral home, it can be more personal and affordable to make your own. Most sewing supplies can be found in the home and with a little guidance, you can make a beautiful garment that will allow your loved ones to rest with dignity.
Typically, the outer garment is made from the front and back of a dress and the inner lining is made from purchased absorbing cotton. It is a good idea to pin the outer garment to the lining on all 4 sides before sewing, being sure to catch the ribbons at the edges of the dress so they do not fray.
Once the seams have been pinned and sewn, turn the dress right-side out. Then, stitch around the upside down U-shape of the dress perimeter, up the lining side, under the armpit and down the exterior gown side. This step is crucial as the fabric can become stiff and rigid in a short amount of time after death and can cause skin sloughing.
A beautiful way to honor your loved one is to donate their clothing to an angel gown project, such as Real Imprints. These are created by mothers of small babes who died in the NICU. The gowns are then given to the mother along with a special keepsake, so she can keep the memories of her baby with her forever. It is a truly heartwarming and compassionate project.