Burial gowns are an important part of the funeral process. They should reflect the deceased person’s style and preferences while also offering dignity to the mourners. However, selecting these clothes can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you choose the right burial clothing for your loved one.
Preparing for Death: A Guide to Burial Outfits
Choosing a burial outfit is often the final detail to consider when planning a funeral or memorial service. For many people, it will be their own personal choice, although some cultural or religious traditions may provide guidance.
Most traditional burials require that the deceased wear formal funeral gowns or suits, with long sleeves and high necklines. These types of funeral dresses are available for both men and women.
If you are not sure what type of funeral dress to wear, ask the funeral home director or a friend who has experience in funeral dressing for their advice. They will be able to recommend the best option for your loved one.
You can also use a dress your loved one has already owned or buy a burial dress in person. Make sure that the dress is of good quality and is appropriate for a funeral. If the dress is not of a suitable size, it can be cut or altered to fit your loved one’s body.
When a person dies, they are often surrounded by friends and family who want to help them during this difficult time. They might not have the time to shop for burial garments, so you can ask them if they would be able to do this for you.
Angel Gowns for Infants
A Michigan nonprofit repurposes wedding dresses to create burial gowns for babies who die too soon. The Founder of Angels Above Baby Gowns, Dawn Lafferty, has sewed more than 300 of these precious outfits for bereaved parents since 2014 when she began the program.
She said her work is particularly important for mothers whose infants are too small to come home from the hospital. She says her goal is to give those families “a little bit of hope and peace,” in a time when it is most needed.
In addition to the angel gowns, she also makes tiny knitted caps and diapers. She has also sewed “Angel Pockets” for newborns who are too small for these outfits.
Angels Above Baby Gowns is a nonprofit that helps bereaved parents. They accept donations of wedding gowns and prom dresses to be transformed into infant burial gowns. They also make bracelets using beads taken from these gowns.
Choosing Funeral Gowns and a Coffin
In most cases, the deceased person will be buried in a casket or coffin. You can place personal items such as mementos or photographs with the body in a coffin or on a stand next to it.
Some people choose to be buried in a special piece of jewelry that was important to them or was a symbol of their faith. This can be especially important if your loved one was very religious or had special beliefs that they want to be able to carry with them in their afterlife.