A wrap sheet is a fabric used to wrap a corpse for burial, often paired with coffins. It was historically used to keep the clothing of the deceased and can be made of natural fibers. The body is stripped, washed, anointed or painted before being wrapped in several rounds of cloth. The sheet can be left smooth or decorated with embroidery and may be interspersed with flowers, letters, photographs, and other items of symbolic value. It is used in natural burials and cremations.
A wrap sheet is a piece of fabric that is used to wrap a corpse for burial. Historically, these sheets could be used alone or paired with coffins, depending on the cultural values and social class of the deceased. Because they are so closely associated with death, they often appear as iconic images in poetry and stories referencing or addressing death. People may also hear one called a shroud.
To prepare a body for burial in a shroud, the survivors of the deceased stripped, washed, and then wrapped it in several rounds of cloth. In some cultures, the body might be anointed or painted before burial, and artifacts might be hidden in the shroud to accompany the dead to the afterlife. Depending on tradition, the body might then be buried, or placed in a wooden coffin for burial.
Historically, clothing was very expensive, so the use of fabric enabled family members to keep the clothing of the deceased, rather than simply letting it rot. The jewels could be removed or left with the dead, depending on the jewels involved and the wishes of the deceased. After being wrapped up, the body took on an amorphous, cloudy shape due to the multiple layers of tissue used.
Traditionally, natural fibers such as linen, cotton, or silk are used to wrap the sheets, and typically these fibers are not bleached. Historically, of course, synthetic fibers would not have been available, but natural fibers continue to be used in cultures that still follow this practice, as they decompose more easily. The sheet can be left smooth or decorated with embroidery; some cultures include such material in the trousseau of new brides, indicating that the bride is ready for every phase of life.
People who promote natural burial often like to use wrap sheets to allow their dead to return to earth more quickly. The cloth may also be used in cremations, especially in cultures such as India where open-air cremations are still common. In a natural burial, the body is not embalmed and is usually buried within a day or two. The layers of fabric may be interspersed with flowers, letters, photographs and other items of symbolic value to the dead and survivors. The sheet can also be sewn closed, making it easier to transport the body for burial.
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