When a family hears the phrase burial shroud, the first reaction is often a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. Is it simply a sheet? Is it only for certain religions? Does a cemetery allow it? And the biggest practical question, usually whispered after a pause: will it feel dignified and safe?
A natural burial shroud is, at its simplest, a length of cloth used to wrap a body for burial instead of placing the body in a conventional casket. In many cultures, shrouding has been a long-standing tradition. In modern North American funeral care, it has also become a meaningful option for families drawn to green burial or natural burial products—choices that aim to reduce environmental impact while keeping the goodbye tender, human, and uncomplicated. The Green Burial Council describes green burial as prioritizing biodegradable containers (including shrouds) and forgoing toxic embalming and vaults, with practices shaped by local regulations and cemetery policies.
It helps to say this out loud: choosing a shroud is not “doing less.” It is choosing differently. For many families, it is a way of bringing the focus back to care, ritual, and return—without the feeling that you must buy something elaborate to prove love.
What a burial shroud is in real life
A green burial shroud is typically made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp, or wool. Some shrouds are simple rectangles of fabric; others are thoughtfully designed with stitched seams, wide panels, and built-in handles or straps. The goal is the same: to wrap the body securely for transport and burial, in a way that feels respectful and stable.
If you are picturing a shroud sliding or coming undone, you are picturing a poorly designed shroud—or a shroud used without the support the cemetery requires. Many shrouds are made with closures that fold and fasten in a predictable way, so the wrap can be done calmly. The wrap can also be part of a private family moment, or handled by the funeral home team, depending on what feels emotionally possible. Either approach can be deeply dignified.
One reassuring detail: when people ask whether a shroud is “allowed,” the real gatekeeper is rarely state law. It is usually the cemetery’s rules about how a body must be transferred to the grave and lowered. That is where shroud and carrier options matter.
Shroud carriers and boards: why many cemeteries ask for them
A shroud carrier (sometimes called a shroud board, backboard, tray, or bier) is a rigid support used to lift, carry, and lower a shrouded body safely. Some green burial grounds welcome a simple shroud with no additional structure; many others require a board for staff safety, equipment compatibility, and a smoother graveside process. Even cemeteries that love the idea of shrouding may still need a predictable way to move and lower the body without strain or risk.
In practice, the carrier can be extremely simple: a flat wooden board, a woven tray, or a biodegradable “scoop-style” stretcher designed for natural burial. Some are sold as a matched set with a shroud; others are rented or provided by the cemetery or funeral home. A board can also be something a family arranges with guidance—especially when the burial is in a natural cemetery where simplicity is expected.
If you want a grounded overview of how eco-friendly burial containers fit into cemetery rules, Funeral.com’s guide Eco-Friendly Caskets and Shrouds: Greener Choices for Earth Burial walks through the most common scenarios, including when a shroud is accepted on its own and when a carrier is required.
Why interest in green and natural burial keeps rising
Families often come to green options through very ordinary questions: “Do we have to embalm?” “Do we have to buy a vault?” “Is there a simpler way that still feels beautiful?” Part of what is changing is the overall landscape of disposition and memorial choices. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025, with long-term projections continuing upward. The Cremation Association of North America also publishes annual industry statistics and reports each year, reflecting how quickly families’ preferences have evolved.
At the same time, the infrastructure for green burial has expanded. The Green Burial Council estimates there were 470 green burial cemeteries in the U.S. and Canada as of November 1, 2024 (noting there may be additional cemeteries that follow similar practices without being counted or certified). That growth matters because the “can we do this here?” question is often the deciding factor for families.
If you are comparing environmentally focused choices—funeral planning decisions that may include a shroud, a simple wood casket, or cremation—Funeral.com’s Green Burial vs Cremation guide helps families weigh values, logistics, and what actually feels doable under stress.
Burial shroud materials: cotton, linen, wool, and what “biodegradable” really means
Material choices are where families can feel both empowered and overwhelmed. The simplest rule is also the most helpful: if your goal is a biodegradable burial shroud for green burial, start with natural fibers and avoid synthetics. Natural burial educators often list cotton, linen, hemp, and wool as common options, along with other natural fibers; the Green Burial Project’s resource on shrouds notes that green shrouds are made from natural materials such as cotton, linen, hemp, and wool (and other natural fibers). See Green Burial Project for a plain-language overview and examples.
Cotton
Cotton is common because it is breathable, widely available, and can be woven in everything from simple muslin to heavier canvas-like weights. A cotton shroud can feel soft and familiar, which matters more than people expect. If the shroud includes handles, cotton webbing or reinforced seams can add strength without introducing metal hardware.
Linen
Linen is often chosen for its natural texture and strength. It tends to drape beautifully, and many families describe it as “quietly elegant.” If you are choosing linen, pay attention to weave density; very lightweight linen can tear if handles are not well reinforced.
Wool
Wool is sometimes surprising to families—until they touch it. Many wool shrouds feel warm and substantial, and wool can be an option when a cemetery is strict about natural materials. The key is making sure the wool is untreated in ways that conflict with green burial standards. The Green Burial Council emphasizes biodegradable containers and notes the importance of materials and finishes that do not release toxic byproducts into the ground.
No matter what material you choose, “biodegradable” is not only about the fabric. It is also about dyes, finishes, liners, decorative trims, and closures. A shroud can be made of cotton and still include synthetic thread or non-biodegradable embellishments. For some cemeteries that is fine; for others—especially certified natural or conservation cemeteries—it may not be.
What cemeteries typically require
Cemetery rules are where plans either become simple or suddenly complicated. A conventional lawn cemetery may require a vault or liner and may also require a casket (which can make a shroud-only burial impractical there). A green section of a conventional cemetery may allow a shroud but still require a rigid carrier for lowering. A natural burial ground may allow a shroud with no vault and no liner, but still have clear rules about fabrics, embalming, and what can be buried with the person.
If you are starting from scratch, Funeral.com’s Green Burial and Natural Burial Grounds guide explains common “green cemetery requirements” in practical terms, including how hybrid, natural, and conservation cemeteries may differ.
When you call a cemetery, you do not need to sound like an expert. You only need a short script. Here are the questions that most often unlock a clear answer quickly:
- Do you allow a burial shroud instead of a casket?
- If yes, do you require a shroud and carrier (board, tray, or lowering device compatibility)?
- Do you require a vault or liner in this section of the cemetery?
- Are there restrictions on fabric types, finishes, or non-biodegradable components?
- Are there rules about embalming, refrigeration, or timeframes before burial?
If you get answers that sound vague, ask for the rules in writing or ask which staff member handles green burial arrangements. It is not pushy. It is protective. Families often feel calmer when the plan is clear enough that nobody has to improvise at the cemetery gate.
Simple sizing guidance: choosing a shroud that fits and carries safely
Shroud sizing is less about fashion and more about function. A well-sized shroud should wrap fully without strain at the seams and should allow the body to be lifted without stressing the fabric. Many shrouds come in size ranges (standard, large, extra-large) based on height and weight. If you are buying a designed shroud with handles, look for a stated weight capacity and reinforced stitching. If you are using a simple cloth shroud, expect that a carrier will do most of the “load-bearing” work.
Here is a practical way to think about fit. You want enough width to wrap comfortably around the shoulders and hips with overlap, and enough length to fold at the head and feet without leaving gaps. If the cemetery requires a board, ask the board’s dimensions and make sure the shroud is compatible—some shrouds include a sleeve or pocket to hold a board in place, which can make the graveside process smoother.
And please take this pressure off yourself: you do not need to measure perfectly on your own. Funeral homes and green burial cemeteries help families with sizing every day. If you have a loved one’s approximate height and weight, you can usually choose the correct size with confidence.
Shopping tips: how to choose a shroud that meets burial rules
If you are searching terms like buy burial shroud or shroud for natural burial, you will find everything from handmade options to highly engineered products. The “best” choice depends on where the burial will happen, how the body will be carried, and what your family wants the experience to feel like.
A few practical details tend to matter more than aesthetics. First, consider how the body will be transported. If the funeral home will transfer the body from a vehicle to a stretcher to a lowering device, your shroud needs to work with that flow. Second, consider whether the cemetery requires a carrier. If so, the carrier may be provided by the cemetery, rented, or purchased. Third, consider closures and handles. Handles should be reinforced; closures should be straightforward enough that the wrap can be done calmly and securely.
Finally, consider whether you want a shroud that feels purely functional or one that feels like a “final garment.” Some families prefer plainness. Others want something that reflects personality—a favorite color, a meaningful stitch pattern, or fabric that feels like home. Both can be loving choices.
Where cremation, urns, and jewelry fit into green-minded planning
Even if you are learning about shrouds today, you may still be weighing other options—especially if cemetery availability is limited, travel is complicated, or family members need flexibility. Cremation continues to rise nationally, and families often choose it for logistical reasons as much as personal preference. When people ask how much does cremation cost, the goal is usually the same as with a shroud: fewer surprises, more clarity. Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost in the U.S.? breaks down common fees and choices that change the total.
If cremation is part of your plan, the question often becomes what to do with ashes. Some families choose interment in a cemetery urn garden; others choose keeping ashes at home; others plan a scattering moment; and some choose water burial as a gentle ceremony. Funeral.com’s water burial guide walks through what the ceremony can look like in real life, and the collection of Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes includes options designed for water or ground placement.
For families who want a long-term memorial at home, Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection includes traditional and modern styles, while keepsake urns can help when loved ones want to share a portion or keep a small tribute nearby. And when the person you’re honoring was a beloved companion animal, pet urns for ashes and pet cremation urns can offer a steady place for that grief—one that is often just as real and just as tender as any other.
Sometimes families want something wearable rather than display-based. cremation jewelry—including cremation necklaces—is designed to hold a small portion of ashes as a private, portable way of staying connected. It is not for everyone, but for the right person it can be deeply comforting, especially during travel, anniversaries, or the first hard season after loss.
A gentle way to decide: match the container to the place, then to the heart
If you take one practical truth from this guide, let it be this: the cemetery rules come first, because they set the boundaries of what will work. Once you know what the burial ground requires—shroud-only, shroud with board, or a biodegradable casket—you can choose materials and design details that feel right for your family. That order saves time, prevents last-minute changes, and protects your energy.
If you take one emotional truth, let it be this: you are allowed to choose simplicity. A natural burial shroud can be a profound expression of care, not an absence of it. It can hold meaning through touch, ritual, and intention—especially when your family builds even a small moment around it: a reading, a blessing, a few words spoken close, a favorite song played softly, hands placed gently on the fabric before the burial begins.
And if you are doing all of this while grieving, please remember: the “right” choice is the one that your family can carry. Whether that is a green burial shroud with a carrier, a simple biodegradable casket, or a cremation plan with a scattering or water burial ceremony, the goal is the same. It is to create a goodbye that feels steady, respectful, and true—without leaving your loved ones to guess.
For planning support beyond the container itself, Funeral.com’s funeral planning guide offers a practical way to document choices so your family has clarity when it matters most.
