Shrouds Seize the Limelight
Felted wool burial pod shroud by Bellacouche.com
“Death is not the end,
But the beginning
Of a metamorphosis.
For matter is never destroyed
Only transformed
And rearranged –
Often more perfectly.
Witness how in the moment of a caterpillar’s death
The beauty of the butterfly is born
And released from the prison of the cocoon
It flies free.”
The rule of simplicity, which works so well in life, works magnificently well in death also. Which brings us to the shroud--one of the most significant items rising over the retail horizon of the 16-billion dollar funeral business. Jesus was wrapped in a shroud. Here's a little remnant of Charlemagne's shrouding fabric (and I think Oscar de la Renta would approve).
Anyone anticipating a death in a hospital or home hospice setting might consider having a shroud or an extra bed sheet nearby so that —with nursing or family assistance—they can tenderly wrap their newly-bathed, recently-deceased loved one in it as part of the farewelling process. This is a supremely lovely activity anyone can do with the hours they’re ordinarily allowed in the room (though sometimes a son will wish to maintain his mother’s privacy and have a woman’s help with this, or a daughter the same with her father). This way, if a funeral home is being used and due to later come to the bed side with a rolling cot or stretcher, the family member may turn to them and say, “We shrouded him/her for you.” Oftentimes, this helps the transfer go a little better. And you may not need another viewing. (Elsewhere we discuss home funerals and how you can keep a deceased person in the home up until the burial or cremation, if you’d rather they not spend any time in the funeral home.)
Devout Jews and Muslims have much to teach about simple, earth-friendly modes of disposition, and they stick with the simplest and purest of shrouds. On this page, you’ll see some pretty fabulous, designer shrouds currently on the market (again, a 100% cotton bed sheet is perfectly fine).
Some people may leave special requests in their deathcare plan, and ask to be dressed in special outfits after their death, but they can still be wrapped in a family quilt or shroud after that if they like. It's all about simpler, greener, family-focused options today, and my new motto is, "It's all good." At eco-friendly, progressive cemeteries, shrouded deceased people are likely to be accepted for burial on a burial board (which can be as simple as a re-purposed plank of foot measuring 22" wide by 72" long) and no casket at all. For cremation, however, nearly all crematories insist upon rigid cardboard boxes (but the deceased could be shrouded inside).
