Great continuation of this thread today, folks! Bless you for sharing your stories, thoughts, pictures, suggestions and inspiration.

Re the size question ... the ones they are using now are 60x80 and they seem to be quite content on that sizing. I'm somewhat thankful, as I hear that some of the Passage Quilts being made are absolutely huge! I'm wondering if some are wrapping the bodies in them, not just covering?

These will stay with the Hospice Home, being folded and given back to a staff member once the body is in the funeral home's van. I know some of the others are for other purposes, including given to the family after death.

Tonight I actually sat down and worked out fabric quantities, so that when I go Stash Shopping, I know roughly what I need! One fabric I'd like to use is a butterfly print that I've used before and would be perfect in my Double Rose Trellis. Also, thinking of the Homeward Bound posted previously, no idea what fabrics, but can now "watch" my Stash for what might work! Tomorrow I do need to Stash Shop for the purse course on Sunday and will be setting potentials aside for this project as I do!

And who knows? I may not end up doing either of those patterns, but at least it's a start!!!



Still looking forward to any further input that each and everyone cares to share! THANKS!!!

Some photos for your feedback. Please see my comments below and tell me what you think about my idea.
Please? and Thanks!!!!

I like the butterflies fabric. There are also some lovely scenic fabrics that could work beautifully. Anything that gives you a peaceful feeling (trees, meadows, sunset, blue sky). I think I will check into a need for something in my community as well.

We lost my mother nearly 11 years ago and her last few months were spent in a "Chronic Care" facilty and although the staff and everyone were wonderful there was something about the environment that made me very sad. Because she was only 56 at the time it always seemed that her surroundings made her much older. I think many facilties are trying to improve upon that by making things more homey and less institutional, but there is only so much you can do.

I'm waiting for a reply from a person who knows, but I think it was 80" x 54". I'll get back to you on that.

I know what you mean! Been there, done that with parents and my husband. One of the reasons I was onside for our local Hospice Home from its inception.

I believe debbieoh posted about making them.I gave her a an "amazing Grace" panel for one. hers would drape the body in the final hrs& would remain w/hospice. she planned to make "soldier "style one , too

Before I get started on a passage quilt, I'd need to know the general dimensions so it won't be either too narrow or short.....does anyone know?

In my research I phoned the local funeral Parlor for whom I had agreed to donate the quilt.
They told me to make it 8 ft long x 3 ft wide . As I thought about these measurements I was picturing a gurney so I understood when used to just cover. Also not big/heavy for them to store I imagine. He suggested also double sided as I said for man/women
Please let me know what your area suggests as size.

Best to check with those you will be donating it to. For our HH I measured the ones they had already, 60x80" and then asked, if they wanted a change in size? No, that's working fine.

I have heard of one Guild who makes them 156" long (forget the width) .... mammoth, right?

Better to know up front than to have a disappointment for yourself when they say, it won't work for them!

13 feet long? do they put it under AND over the body?

156 cm would be approx 61 inches long

Same question as I asked ... I wondered if they wrapped the whole body, like a mummy! :) I forget what the width was but it as reasonable ... I'm thinking 80'ish, as I registerd that it was about 2-1/2 times the size and work that the one I am making would be!

I think whatever you choose will be appreciated so much. The nurses at the hospital where my mom was, put a quilt over her before we were let back in the room to say our good byes. I don't remember the pattern that much just that it made me feel better to see mom like that, rather than in the hospital gown and lite weight blankets.

What a great thing for you to do.

The reply I got was ...The dimensions are 54 x 80 or 84.

This is the website she is talking about:
www.sacred-threads.com

I made a lap quilt for my Mother with family pictures. It was on a stand by her casket, could have been on top of the casket , I guess, but it was a great conversation piece for everyone. Pictures of her at a younger age and pictures of her children as they grew. It was very special.