What is a shroud?
A Bellacouche felt shroud is made from 100% pure British wool felt which is at least 5mm thick. The multiple layers of felt cocoon the body, rather than hugging the shape, so the obviousness of the body is not revealed; both the Leafcocoon and the Oseberg Cradle can be used without a coffin. The Leafcocoon has a sturdy integrated leakproof wooden base with three sets of strong handles for a burial. An external board is provided for cremation. The Oseberg Cradle shows its strength more overtly; and both are tested for their functionality by the Funeral Suppliers Association (FSA / FFMA). Everything we make is entirely plastic free, and made of natural materials, including some that are recycled, and we test these for only natural content.
People find the cocoons comforting and approachable, and many remark how the shroud has helped them feel much more connected to the person who has died. This sense of deeper connection can be of great benefit to our overall acceptance of death and help us to live more comfortably with our grief.
In a traditional sense, a shroud (or winding cloth) is usually made of a fine fabric of woven wool, linen, hemp or cotton, but can also be silk or other woven fabric. This tradition shows the shape of the body and can cause a quiver of a challenge to our western sensibilities, and to protect us from our squeamishness around death it has become commonplace to put the shrouded body in a wooden coffin. This has had an impact on our forests on the one hand, and on the other has added to a feeling of disconnect from the fact of death and the cycle of life.
Without losing any of it’s strength and functionality, the Leafcocoon is approximately two thirds lighter than a conventional coffin. There is less environmental impact because of the reduced weight in materials and better and more and rapid decomposition because of a more direct contact with the soil.
You can read more here about our environmental policy and the measures we take to reduce our impact on the environment.