Shroud Burial: Is It Legal, What Cemeteries Allow and How It Works

A shroud burial means the body is wrapped in cloth and buried without a casket. Green cemeteries usually accept shrouds, and the Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) says most require biodegradable, non-toxic materials. Whether a shroud is allowed at a particular cemetery depends on that cemetery's rules, because many conventional cemeteries still require a casket or an outer burial container.

What is a shroud burial?

A burial shroud is a length of cloth, or a sewn wrap, that covers the body from head to foot. In a shroud burial it takes the place of a casket. The Green Burial Council (GBC) says green burial containers must be made of plant-derived, natural, animal or unfired earthen materials, with no toxic finishes, adhesives or dyes, and shrouds are listed among GBC product providers. Shrouds are also the customary burial cloth in some faiths. In Jewish practice the body is dressed in plain white tachrichim, and in Muslim practice it is wrapped in a white kafan. If a faith tradition applies, your community usually advises on the shroud. See our guides to Jewish burial requirements and Muslim funeral traditions.

This guide covers the decisions and logistics of a shroud burial. For sewing instructions and fabric choices, see how to make a burial shroud.

Is a shroud burial allowed?

The FTC says outer burial containers are not required by state law anywhere in the US. But the FTC adds that many cemeteries require them to keep the grave from caving in. That is why the answer is "it depends on the cemetery".

Our guide to natural burial grounds explains how to find a site that welcomes shrouds.

How is the body cared for before a shroud burial?

A shroud burial usually goes with a natural burial, so the body is not embalmed. The GBC says embalming is rarely required by law and never legally necessary for viewing. The FTC says no state law requires routine embalming for every death. Washing, dressing and cooling the body are the usual alternatives.

The Home Funeral Alliance lists dry ice, polymer cooling packs, cooling vests or towels and gel packs as ways to cool a body at home, and says air conditioning or open windows may be enough for less than 24 hours. The GBC says the time between death and the need for preservation is typically 24 to 72 hours, and state laws vary on embalming timelines. Many families use a funeral home that does natural burial to handle cooling, paperwork and transport. See our guides to cooling the body at home and viewings without embalming.

How do you carry and lower a shrouded body?

A shroud has no rigid sides, so the body needs support. Families and cemeteries commonly use a flat board or tray under the shroud, with straps, webbing or ropes for lowering. The wood should be untreated. Some natural burial grounds supply the board and some ask you to provide it, so ask early. Our burial shroud making guide covers handles and ties.

Ask the cemetery these questions before the day:

• Do you accept a shroud on its own, or do you require a container?
• Do you require a rigid board, and do you supply one?
• Are there rules on fabric, thread, ties or what can be placed in the grave?
• Who digs and fills the grave, and may family members help?
• How will the grave be recorded and marked?

What materials should a shroud use?

Use natural, biodegradable fibers: cotton, linen, hemp, wool or silk, with cotton or linen thread and ties. Avoid polyester, nylon, plastic and metal fasteners and synthetic trim, because they do not break down. Check fiber labels. A cloth that feels like cotton can be a blend. If you buy a shroud, ask the seller what it is made of and whether the cemetery accepts it. The GBC lists certified product providers, including shroud makers.

What does a shroud burial cost?

The shroud itself can be inexpensive, especially if you make it. The larger costs are the burial site and any funeral home help. The FCA says a grave at a green cemetery typically costs $1,000 to $4,000 for a body, and funeral home charges are often around $2,000 but can reach $5,000 or more. The GBC says green burial can cost less than, the same as, or more than a conventional funeral.

A shroud saves the price of a casket, and a green cemetery does not require a vault or embalming. For comparison, a 2024 survey of Washington funeral homes by People's Memorial Association found full-service burial averaged $6,584, with a range of $1,690 to $26,015. That is one state, not a national figure. Ask any funeral home for its General Price List. The FTC Funeral Rule requires it, and you can choose only what you want.

Can you be cremated in a shroud?

Cremation has its own container rules. The Cremation Association of North America says a cremation container must be completely enclosed, rigid, leak resistant and combustible. A cloth shroud alone does not meet that, so the crematory usually wants the shrouded body placed on a board or in a plain container. The FTC says no state or local law requires a casket for cremation and that a funeral home offering cremation must tell you alternative containers are available. Call the crematory before you buy or make anything.

What to do next

1. Decide where the burial will be, and ask that cemetery what it accepts.
2. Ask whether it requires a board, and whether it supplies one.
3. Choose a funeral home or plan the family's role, including how the body will be kept cool.
4. Buy or make a shroud from natural materials, and tell your family your wishes in writing. Our green burial guide can help you plan.