What is a shroud?
A shroud, burial shroud, farewell shroud or funeral shroud is a rectangular cloth of soft fabric in which a deceased person can be shrouded during a funeral or farewell ceremony. However, this does not say everything about the shroud. On this page, we will give an extensive answer to this question.
Why use a shroud?
The beauty of a shroud is that the body is a little closer during the farewell than if they were lying in a coffin. The soft fabric of the shroud also invites you to touch the body one last time. Of course, this is not necessary for everyone; some people find it strange to be aware of the body during a farewell. The nice thing about a shroud is that it does cover the entire body and neatly softens the shape. In this way, the shroud offers a perfect middle ground between distance and proximity.
Shroud the body yourself
Shrouding a body is an easy act to perform. For relatives, shrouding a loved one can be an intimate, comforting experience. Together with other relatives, you prepare yourself and the body for the final farewell. During this act, personal mementos or flowers can also be placed in the shroud, giving this final ritual your own meaning.
Natural materials
Our shrouds are made of natural, sustainable or organic materials. We believe it is important that a funeral can be organized with respect for nature. Most of our products are therefore naturally biodegradable and can be used in a natural burial ground. Natural burial grounds are a special initiative that makes natural areas available as a burial grounds. For people who prefer the great outdoors, in contrast to the ordered rows of gravestones in a regular cemetery, this offers a fitting alternative.
How is a funeral shroud folded?
If you want to, you can fold a shroud yourself. There are two ways in which the shroud can be folded: closed, or opened for a wake. For an open display, the shroud is left open at the head and draped around the head. For a closed wake, the head is also covered by the shroud. In the image below, you can see how a shroud can be folded.
The carrier
During a funeral with a farewell shroud, the body lies on a carrier (or stretcher). Such carriers have a relatively flat base, and often a (slightly) raised edge. Because there is no lid, a carrier has a much more open character during a wake or ceremony than a closed coffin. There are different types of carriers available. for example, one can choose from woven willow branches or plain poplar wood. You can have a look at our range here: Carriers.
