I was absolutely amazed when I received an e-mail from Anne Belgrave linking me to a website that shows this decorative shroud. I had done an article about Anne’s felting sometime ago, but here is a whole new dimension in the world of felting. You must understand that this is near the Welsh border and I don’t think this type of burial would be permitted in the USA. I was a tad hesitant whether I should show you this shroud or not, but it is a part of the art of felting in ancient history that is again being used today near the Welsh border. The designs on these shrouds are painstakingly done and the scene is so restful and beautiful. No matter how you feel about this, do take a look at the craftsmanship that has gone into making these unusual burial shrouds. Following is a short enlightenment why these are being reproduced.
An introduction
The word Bellacouche comes from the traditional name of our barn workshop, and means ‘beautiful resting place’. Anne Belgrave lives on the Welsh Border, & Yuli Somme on Dartmoor – we have worked together over several years to bring you this new and gentler approach to burial. A love of landscape and the natural world influences our choice of materials and design – we share a desire to make something that stays close to nature, and is also intrinsically strong, soft, and comforting.
Our ideas
Many funeral rituals lack relevance to our contemporary lives and evade any allusion to the imagery of death, and the possibility of a final journey.
However ceremonies are beginning to adapt to cultural change, and new rituals are evolving.
The leaf is an eloquent metaphor for the changing seasons of our lives, and is the inspiration behind this gentle felt leafshroud. It is also an appropriate choice for a woodland burial site.
The leafshroud is designed to be used instead of a coffin for both woodland and traditional burial.
Archeological evidence for the use of felt in a burial tomb comes from the Altai Mountains in Siberia. Dating from around 600 BC, the permafrost miraculously preserved some huge pieces of felt whose purpose is unknown, but their presence in the tomb suggests some ritual significance.
There is a historical precedent for the use of woolen shrouds closer to home – in 1666 an Act of Parliament decreed that everyone had to be buried in a woolen shroud to stimulate the failing wool trade.
We aim to be a part of a movement that has a more celebratory approach to a funeral… as in other cultures.
Wow, that is beautiful and powerful.
Sadly you are right, it wouldn’t be allowed in the US. We’d rather waste land buy filling it full of non biodegradable shells then not alow anything on top of that land. Such a shame.
I’d personally rather be wrapped in the felt and allowed to become one with the earth. Its really a wonderful concept to me.
anne’s work is beautiful, and i found this post fascinating. thank you. i have long felt that we, in the west, have a taboo about discussing, preparing for, and maybe even celebrating one of the most important events in our lives… our passing on. i wish this could change, so that the fear we have regarding death, our own and others, could dissipate some.
great post!
I think It’s a very natural way to be burried. Death is a theme no one likes to talk about, but it is a part of our live. (sooner or later). I looked at the links of her site and have you seen where you can be burried??? Wounderfull landscape site! It is that I live in The Netherlands and I don’t want my family to travel so far….. The idea is also worked out here in the Netherlands by a feltartist.Check it out: http://www.transparanteverbinding.nl/relizapp/textielplus204_koestering.pdf It is in dutch, but pictures speak for themselves!
I am so delighted that I have had such wonderful responses to this posting. I was not sure how the readers would respond, but it is been very positive. These shrouds are so beautiful and it is a gentle burial that many people would appreciate. I did look at the above posting and the shrouds are amazing. As I stated, in the US there is strict laws about our burials and they certainly aren’t gentle. Thank you all for your wonderful comments.
Regards, Linda
The name of the Dutch artist is Bertina Slettenhaar – her website http://www.teatral.nl. Her work is gorgeous. At the moment there is an exhibition with the theme ‘time to go’ in all kind of expression to honnor the lost ones among us. I have written something on my blog. btw Linda, I’am following your blog for quite a while and it is very usefull to read all the things you found at the web. Thank you for sharing this with us. greetings Dorie
I never would thought of such a thing! This is such an informative posting. Thanks for educating me.