What is a burial shroud?
A shroud is a piece of cloth used to wrap a body before it is buried. For a natural burial, a shrouded body can be buried without a coffin. A shrouded body can also be cremated if placed in a willow stretcher adapted for cremation. Alternatively, a shrouded body can be placed into a coffin for a traditional burial.
What processes do you use?
Botanical printing (also known as Eco printing).
I use tannin-rich leaves and plant extracts to create ghost like prints. You may want to be involved in collecting plants and arranging them onto the fabric.
Cyanotype.
I transfer the shapes of plants, photographs, and artwork meaningful to the deceased onto fabric using sunlight and biodegradable, sun-sensitive emulsion. This 19th-century technique, called cyanotype, creates distinctive Prussian-blue prints with eco-friendly, non-toxic chemicals.
Example of All-in-One shroud where vintage embroidered panel was integrated into eco-printed calico.
Example of All-in-One shroud where cyanotype technique was used to create a dream landscape with moons, seaweed collected on Brighton beach and vintage lace.
Do you make traditional shrouds? How do they work?
I make two different types of covers for the body: All-in-One and Soft Covers. A shrouded body or a body covered with a soft cover is placed in a willow carrier or a biodegradable stretcher and they are buried or cremated together.
All-in-One shroud: a long piece of fabric (roughly three times body length) and three ties. The shrouded body is placed into a willow carrier or it can be placed into a traditional coffin. Soft Cover can be added as in the demonstration below.
Soft Cover: a tunnel-like structure. Front and back panels have hidden recycled cardboard inserts so that the cover resembles a soft coffin. This design requires a willow carrier. The body can be clothed or wrapped in natural fabrics provided by you or your funeral director or it can be wrapped in All-in-One Shroud first and then covered with a Soft Cover as in the demonstration below.
Three ties are placed in a willow carrier.
All-in-One shroud is unfolded. Decorative overleaf is at the top.
The body is gently placed into the middle section. Bottom section is is used to cover the body.
Decorative (top) part is placed on the top. Each tie is used to fasten the body.
At this stage, the shrouded body can be buried. Most of All-in One shrouds are made from thicker fabrics and ties are hidden underneath so the body is less visible.
As this shroud is made from thin cotton, I recommend using a Soft Cover to create a soft, coffin like shape.
Are your shrouds suitable for Natural Burial Grounds?
Yes. For natural burial/green funerals, all shrouds are made from 100% biodegradable materials. My shrouds are made from vintage and salvaged natural fabrics: linen, hemp, cotton, wool and silk. I make padding using sheep fleece from our local farms, feathers from recycled pillows or recycled shredded textiles.
Vintage textiles tend to be organic by default and usually contain little or no synthetic dye. With contemporary fabrics, this usually is not the case so please check with your Natural Burial Ground if they accept fabric made with natural fibers but with traces of synthetic dye.
Currently, there are 270 Natural Burial Grounds in UK.
How will a shrouded body be transported?
A shrouded body is placed in a willow carrier or a biodegradable stretcher and they are buried together. I don’t provide carriers and stretchers but your funeral director and the management of your Natural Burial Ground will be able to advise. I can however recommend Woven Farewell (Devon and the East Midlands) and Sussex Willow Coffins (South East).
Are your shrouds suitable for cremation and traditional funerals?
Yes, but please ask your funeral director or your local crematorium if they accept shrouded bodies. The shroud can be made from most textiles although I tend to use predominantly natural salvaged fabrics. Shrouded body is placed into a willow carrier made especially for cremation. The alternative is to place a shrouded body in a standard coffin.
How much do they cost?
Each shroud is completely unique and takes several days and often weeks to complete. Prices start from £450.
How many shrouds do you have in stock? How do they work? How big are they?
I have a stock of 10 shrouds which can be purchased immediately or customised . You are also welcome to arrange a visit to my studio in Brighton and look at them. Some shrouds can be additionally embellished with personal textiles of emotional value and history and with a personalised imagery. I can send a shroud directly to you or the funeral home and will supply easy to use instructions on how to shroud the body.
Can I order a bespoke shroud? Can we make it together?
Yes. I love commissions. Integrating family textiles into a shroud makes it a particularly tender and a powerful sendoff. Or we can make it together. I can also facilitate workshops where you may want to make a shroud for yourself or your loved ones. Please contact me if you are interested in attending Make your own shroud session.