Casket cover quilt vs. casket flowers
10-17-2011, 12:15 PM
#212
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: where FREE SPEECH still reigns
Posts: 29
I only want 3 long-stemmed roses with some fern and a bit of babies breath, and a ribbon around it. That money that is saved by not buying big fancy casket sprays can be used for the food pantry to help those in need in our small town. The most important thing that I want people to know, is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Without Him as my Lord and Savior, nothing in my life would mean anything. I want my family and friends to know He is the only way to eternal life. I have been using up my stashes and clearing out the knick-knacks, and giving away stuff I don't want anymore. One of our knitting group ladies passed away, her kids had the afghan she was working on draped over her coffin and with Scrabble letters, spelled out, knit, crochet, sew, etc. It was much more touching than all of the flowers.
10-17-2011, 12:23 PM
#213
Super Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,851
Lovely thoughts everyone has expressed here. My mum died two weeks ago and we had the funeral last week and considered putting the family tree quilt I had made on the coffin but didn't. My mum wanted people to sign her casket so we had one rose with some greenery and coloured pens around the casket. At the end of the service everyone came up and wrote a message on it. We photographed all the messages and it was very special to read everyone's thoughts. In hindsight the quilt would have been lovely to have draped over the casket also and removed for the signing. Makes me think of what I may do some day and I will certainly have a quilt. Lovely thoughts expressed on this thread.
10-17-2011, 12:46 PM
#214
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 1,389
Originally Posted by resource fabricologist
A friend of mine died recently and quilts of all kinds were brought in and draped over the pews. I thought this was a neat final tribute to her.
But I will be having a memorial service and I'd love for all my quilting buds to display my quilts and theirs on the pews! We have a ladies quilting group at the church called Hands 2 Hearts and this would be a fitting tribute!
BTW, hospice has a free booklet called "5 wishes" that allows you to designate 'fun things' as well as the technical stuff like what music you want (I want to end my service with "I'll Fly Away!"), how you wish to be buried, do you want communion served at your memorial service,etc.
10-17-2011, 12:53 PM
#215
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Clinton Township, Michigan
Posts: 18
I started a group that makes prayer quilts for church members that are sick or having hard times. Many of these fine folks have passed on to the greater beyond, and many of them have had their prayer quilt either laying on the casket or very close nearby. In our circle, since so many have received the quilts, it is the "thing" to do.
Some of the quilts went with their owners, others were left to the survivors. It is a wonderful ministry and appreciated by all.
I can see no reason not to make a special quilt for your viewing. After all, maybe a beautiful quilt will distract the mourners from seeing "how bad you look". (Who is going to look good dead?) It is something that your survivors can have and to hold for a long time. Flowers will last about 4-5 days.
Some of the quilts went with their owners, others were left to the survivors. It is a wonderful ministry and appreciated by all.
I can see no reason not to make a special quilt for your viewing. After all, maybe a beautiful quilt will distract the mourners from seeing "how bad you look". (Who is going to look good dead?) It is something that your survivors can have and to hold for a long time. Flowers will last about 4-5 days.
10-17-2011, 12:58 PM
#216
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 90
Originally Posted by QuiltE
Friends did this for their Mom several years ago.
And since then, several others have followed with one or several quilts on display!
At another funeral this past spring, the lady had been working on a quilt, with one block left to finish. They had the quilt at the funeral, and the one last block in her hand in the coffin. Since then her DIL completed the quilt for her. Then her husband (son of) decided it HAD to be shown at the Fair, just as Mom always would have done so. And so it was, winning a ribbon!! What a beautiful story, and perfect ending!! :)
As a sidestep here ... when my husband died, I didn't have the traditional casket spray, rather chose a milker with a bouquet worked in the top of it. We set it on the floor right next to the casket!! His tombstone is not traditional either ... rather an oversized rock from our farm that I had mounted, and with an engraved cow, and our farm name. The traditional details are on mounted on the base.
And since then, several others have followed with one or several quilts on display!
At another funeral this past spring, the lady had been working on a quilt, with one block left to finish. They had the quilt at the funeral, and the one last block in her hand in the coffin. Since then her DIL completed the quilt for her. Then her husband (son of) decided it HAD to be shown at the Fair, just as Mom always would have done so. And so it was, winning a ribbon!! What a beautiful story, and perfect ending!! :)
As a sidestep here ... when my husband died, I didn't have the traditional casket spray, rather chose a milker with a bouquet worked in the top of it. We set it on the floor right next to the casket!! His tombstone is not traditional either ... rather an oversized rock from our farm that I had mounted, and with an engraved cow, and our farm name. The traditional details are on mounted on the base.
10-17-2011, 01:19 PM
#217
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 166
Great Idea We spent over $400 for my mom's blanket and it was gone in a a day. She would have loved it too as she thought flowers were a waste. However, those who can't quilt would want to buy one and the funeral home would buy something quilted overseas and charge a fortune. Or someone here could start making them but think of how much you would have to charge. It would be more then the flowers. Make it now and put it on you when you can enjoy it
10-17-2011, 01:25 PM
#218
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SC
Posts: 1,909
I think I, too, would prefer a quilt on my casket to flowers. My husband's was covered with the American flag since he was a USN veteran and I much preferred that. I'm with the group...too much waste for something that only lasts a few days.
10-17-2011, 01:40 PM
#220
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by betty jo
I work at (2) local funeral homes and since working there I see the waste in funeral flowers, especially the casket flowers which cost several hundred dollars..soooo....I decided I would quilt me a quilt to go on my casket and my family can take it home with them. Has anyone else thought about doing this??? I know we don't like to think about death, but it is coming to all of us.
I may ask for my GFG crocheted afagan to cover me.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RedGarnet222
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
24
06-28-2009 01:57 PM
