A burial shroud is a distinguished wrap for the body; also referred to as burial sheets, winding-cloths or winding sheets. Shrouds can be made from white cotton, wool, linen or other material that is made of natural fibers. The shrouded body can be delicately carried with attached natural woven straps or inserted bamboo poles, and transported by hand to the natural setting. The shrouded body may simply be laid directly into a casket, or
easily carried alone. Shroudage is much lighter than the usual (100 lb.
to 300 lb.) weight of a casket. The folds and ties of this shroud (at right) are patterned after a
Japanese gift wrapping method, where presents are enclosed in material,
not paper. Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin dates back to the Middle Ages,
likely between 1260 and 1390. It's made of herringbone twill, composed of flax fibrils, sized 14.3 ft. by 2.7 ft.
Shroud of Grushetskaya
This was Agafya Grushetskaya's shroud, daughter of Russian Noble, Semyon Fyodorovich Grushetsky & Mariya Ivanovna
Zaborovskaya, she married Tsar Feodor III of Russia, becoming Queen (Tsaritsa). She died in 1681, aged 18, from childbirth complications.
When are burial shrouds used?
Some religions require the use of a burial shroud wrapped around the body prior to burial. For example, Jews use a burial shroud or "Tachrichim" and Muslims use burial shrouds of white cotton or linen shroud referred to as "Al kafan".
The shroud is often wrapped around the body and the wrapped body is placed inside the casket for burial. Green burial grounds usually require the use of either a biodegradable casket or a natural burial shroud for burials in their cemeteries.
If you choose burial, would you use a burial shroud? Why or why not?
Green burial incarnates the pure nature of allowing the body to return naturally to the earth. When one opts for a natural green burial, he or she is contributing to the preservation of the land. Green burials are a practical alternative to both traditional burials and cremation.There is either no embalming or embalming with non-toxic, formaldehyde-free fluids, no headstones and no grave liners. (Grave liners are concrete boxes that line the inside of the grave, like an open-ended box with no lid, used to keep regular cemeteries flat for grass to be mowed easily). The container that holds the body (coffin, casket, or shroud) must be 100% biodegradable. Green burial grounds adopt principles of restoration ecology, to eventually become natural wilderness preserves. Restoration ecologists study the land to learn what is native, what had invaded the land, what wildlife existed, and plan to encourage the restoration and preservation of the grounds. Land is maintained without chemicals or non-native plantings. Although many consider green burial a new choice in burial options, green burials have been in existence for many years. Families used to care for their own deceased loved ones, and usually buried them on their own property. Although they weren’t called green burials then, we now understand the wisdom of these practices.
Why choose green burial?
Those who choose Green Burial oppose the chemicals used in the traditional embalming process. However, the funeral industry is working to reduce and eliminate these issues. New environmentally friendly embalming fluids and chemicals are now available by some of the leading funerary chemical manufacturers. To help further reduce waste, green burial supporters choose biodegradable, sustainable solutions for their end-of-life plans. This includes burial choices of sustainably grown woods, woven baskets, natural pottery urns, and other earth friendly materials. However, there is no need to purchase a product to ensure a green departure. Sustainable products include the reuse of retired objects that could be good for the purposes of burial or cremains.
Benefits of Green Burial
Environmentally friendly, low impact burials.
Land stewardship and restoration planning.
Sustainable burial methods.
Restrictions to keep the grounds exclusively as green cemetery.
Some use naturally flat stones or native trees used for grave markers with GIS coordinates recorded. Others have no grave-markers.
Oftentimes, it is purely forest and meadows
Green Burial Facts
Enriches Soil. Adds organic material, Improves fertility and productivity. Suppresses plant diseases, discourages insects, increases water retention, inoculates soil with beneficial microorganisms, reduces or eliminates fertilizer needs, moderates soil temperature.
Prevents Pollution. Reduces methane production in landfills, reduces or eliminates organic garbage, reduces or eliminates sewage.
Aids in reforestation, helps restore wildlife habitats, helps reclaim mined lands, helps restore damaged wetlands, helps prevent erosion on flood plains.
Destroys Pathogens. Can destroy human disease organisms, plant pathogens, and livestock pathogens.
Eliminates waste disposal costs. Reduces the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Extends landfill life by diverting materials and is a less costly bioremediation technique.
Our Video Supporting the Need for Green Burial
Please share your thoughts about Green Burial. Have you known anyone who has chosen a green burial or have you visited a green burial cemetery? If so, what did you find different/like about the cemetery? Will you choose green burial for yourself? Why or why not?
This was Agafya Grushetskaya's shroud, daughter of Russian Noble, Semyon Fyodorovich Grushetsky & Mariya Ivanovna
Zaborovskaya, she married Tsar Feodor III of Russia, becoming Queen (Tsaritsa). She died in 1681, aged 18, from childbirth complications.
