Shrouds
Shrouds for Gentle, Natural and Meaningful Farewells
Shrouds offer a soft, simple and deeply personal alternative to a coffin. Often chosen for natural burials, home vigils or ceremonies that emphasise closeness and care, shrouding can feel intimate and grounded — a way of holding your loved one with tenderness and respect.
Life Rites supports families across Hurstville, St George, the Inner West and the Sutherland Shire in choosing shrouds that honour cultural identity, environmental values and personal wishes. This page offers guidance, clarity and gentle information to help you explore your options.
What a Shroud Represents
A shroud is more than a covering. It may reflect:
Simplicity and natural beauty
Family involvement in care and ritual
Environmental values
A desire for closeness during a vigil or final farewell
Cultural or religious traditions
Types of Shrouds Available
Life Rites offers a range of shroud options that suit both cremation and burial, including natural burial grounds throughout Sydney.
Shrouds may include:
Natural cotton, linen or wool designs
Decorative or symbolic designs for cultural or spiritual use
Handcrafted or artisan-made shrouds
Shrouds suitable for cremation with a shroud board
Soft, unadorned fabrics for simple ceremonies
Biodegradable options for natural burials
Families often appreciate the gentle texture and organic feel of these materials, which can bring comfort during an emotional time.
Linen is a classic natural cloth, made from the fibres of the flax plant and one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics. Our linen shroud has that elegant linen drape as well as a unique herringbone weave through the fabric. This gives the shroud a rich texture and lustre.
Each shroud includes 2 fabric ties and instructions for how to wrap.
Price shown is gst inc.
Fustic, a rich yellow coms from the mulberry tree. It ranges in hues from a bright, vibrant yellow, to a richer more muted tone.
This stunning shroud is dyed from hand picked flowers and fauna rolled into the shroud. Each shroud includes 2 fabric ties and instructions for how to wrap.
Price shown is gst inc.
This is a short-fibre woven 100% silk shroud with the beautiful weight and drape of silk combined with a raw unprocessed finish. It is soft and comforting to the touch but falls in sculptural and elegant folds. The natural colour is off-white with flecks.
Each shroud includes 2 fabric ties and instructions for how to wrap.
Price shown is gst inc.
This seedy silk shroud, hand dyed with red madder is warm, rich, soft and deeply honouring.
Each shroud includes 2 fabric ties and instructions for how to wrap.
Price shown is gst inc.
Our calico shroud is a stunningly simple 100% unbleached cotton fabric. The natural quality of calico fabric, it’s wheaty smell and the beautiful seeds and flecks woven into the cloth give it an earthy feel which brings comfort and familiarity.
Each shroud includes 2 fabric ties and instructions for how to wrap.
Price shown is gst inc.
Shrouds for Natural Burial and Home Vigils
Many families choose shrouds when planning:
Natural burials in NSW bushland cemeteries
Home vigils
Family-led washing and dressing rituals
Simple, environmentally conscious farewells
Ceremonies without a coffin
Shrouding offers ease, softness and a sense of ritual care. Families may gather together to wrap or prepare their loved one, honouring cultural or spiritual traditions with intention.
Life Rites can guide families through each step with steady hands and gentle support.
Local Considerations Across Sydney
Shrouds may be used in different funeral settings, but regulations can vary. Life Rites’ familiarity with local practices helps families navigate these details with clarity.
Local considerations may include:
Shroud board requirements for cremation
Permitted materials for natural burial
Transport and handling guidelines across Sydney
Home vigil best practices for cooling and care
Requirements at:
Woronora Memorial Park
Rookwood Cemetery
Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park
Natural burial sections within NSW cemeteries
Community chapels and gathering spaces in St George and the Inner West
We explain these details gently and simply, helping you choose something practical, meaningful and aligned with your wishes.
Cultural and Spiritual Uses of Shrouds
Shrouds hold important meaning in many cultural and faith traditions. Life Rites supports families from diverse backgrounds, offering respectful guidance that honours identity, heritage and ritual.
We work with:
Christian, Catholic and Orthodox families
Secular and spiritual households
Muslim and Jewish communities (where shrouding practices differ by tradition)
LGBTQIA+ families
Hindu and Buddhist families
Nature-based and earth-centred communities
Our approach is always inclusive, respectful and grounded in the belief that every family deserves to express love, care and farewell in ways that feel authentic.
Eco-Friendly and Natural Options
Many families across Sydney value environmentally gentle choices. Shrouds support this by using natural, biodegradable materials suitable for:
Natural burial
Environmentally conscious ceremonies
Home vigils
Low-impact farewells
Minimalist or simple ceremonies
How Life Rites Supports Families in Choosing a Shroud
Choosing a shroud may be unfamiliar for many families. Life Rites offers calm, steady support throughout the process, drawing on years of experience in holistic funeral care.
Our support may include:
Explaining shroud materials and their uses
Providing gentle step-by-step assistance during home vigils
Guidance for cremation or burial suitability
Aligning choices with natural burial requirements
Supporting cultural or family-led rituals
Helping families choose something simple, beautiful and fitting
Many families describe this guidance as grounding and deeply reassuring during emotionally tender moments.
Real Family Experiences
Families who choose shrouds often share how meaningful and peaceful the experience felt.
Some describe the comfort of wrapping their loved one in natural fiber, creating a sense of closeness.
Others found meaning in participating in washing or dressing rituals before shrouding - practices deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual heritage.
Families choosing natural burials appreciated the simplicity and earth-friendly nature of the shroud.
These stories highlight how shrouding can bring softness, intentionality and connection to the farewell.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, when paired with a shroud board. We can guide you through the details.
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Only biodegradable materials are permitted. Our shrouds meet these requirements.
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Yes. Many families choose to be involved, and we offer gentle guidance throughout.
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Families may add flowers, cloth, written messages or symbolic items depending on cemetery or crematorium guidelines.
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Viewing may be possible depending on availability. We can discuss options with you.
Contact Life Rites
If you need support now, or would like to learn more about any of our funeral services, we are here at every hour of the day.
Call: 0421 200 250
Visit: 118 Durham St, Hurstville NSW 2220
Email:info@liferitesfunerals.com
Or fill out the form on our Contact Us page.