A while back, another Poster (sorry, I forget whom that is) shared about doing Passage Quilts for use in a Hospice Home. I was intrigued and thought what a respectful gesture towards the deceased and how thoughtful and caring towards their loved ones as they begin their mourning.

Since then I've done some research to find that this is common place in Hospice, contacted my local HH and discovered, yes, they have two, though would appreciate some new ones. I've agreed to take up the challenge.

Now, I'm feeling somewhat hesitant, intimidated and pressured in my quest to find appropriate quilt patterns, fabrics and colours that are not "in-you-face" but subtle, warm and the lasting memory that is wanted by all.

So I am looking to all for suggestions and inspiration. Please post your suggestions and experiences. Also, please do share your photos of Passage Quilts completed. Thank you!

My suggestion is to try for a variety of colour schemes. Some people will want subtle, some will want subdued, some will want the brightest party colours you can imagine.

My mother died in hospice last spring. One of the chaplains came by to offer a prayer shawl. The one my mother picked was exactly like her personality: a bright, sunny yellow that just made me smile when I looked at it. All the other prayer shawls were dark colours, neutrals or pastels, which some people prefer but Mama loved colour.

I am so grateful to all the knitters and crocheters who created those lovely shawls. I'm particularly grateful that someone chose a bright, happy colour to make up that suited my mother best.

I had never heard the term before.

There all very Gees Bend-like. Which makes sense as you're using fabric from real life.
http://www.google.com/search?q=passa...ls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=euse TsnNB-rm0QGGtKWsAw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0C EYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=640

There's even a for-profit site that makes them, which is fine.

Sorry, not much help. I'm sitting here trying to think how you make such a personal quilt without knowing the person. Or is it like charity quilts? Very general in nature?

And sorry to be crass but are they reused - or do they go the family?

What do the two that your HH already have look like?

eta :
I was thinking perhaps by color/genre also - in some cases the patient will choose, and in others a family member will make the choice. I don't think the complexity of the blocks themselves are as important as the tone of the quilt - soft Moda florals/Kaffe brights/etc.

Thanks for the thoughts ... I too would like to have a little more freedom on the vibrancy of colours.

The Passage Quilts are used when the body is removed from the HH by the undertakers, to cover the body, so that the loved ones last memories are not of the deceased being wheeled out in a body bag on a gurney.

I appreciate their desire for subtlety of the quilt. The idea is that the last memory be of the deceased at peace and in comfort created by the quilt, and not have the focus become the quilt. And that they are covered in a quilt, rather than a lasting memory of them leaving in a harsh body bag on a cold gurney.

Yes, I've seen some of those as I've googled around ... there's a bit of confusion as there are two different types.

"Passage" quilt has more relevance to passage meaning passage from life. Often time made from old clothing of the one who is dying or deceased.

This time ... "Passage" is empasis on the passage (aka hallway) as the body proceeds out of the HH. I think you and I were typing at the same time, so read my other posts for a little more explanation.

MTS said ........ "Sorry, not much help. I'm sitting here trying to think how you make such a personal quilt without knowing the person. Or is it like charity quilts? Very general in nature? And sorry to be crass but are they reused - or do they go the family?"

No, they are not meant to be personal and they do not go to the families. It is totally a service item that is reused. The family would leave the room, while the undertakers place the body in the body bag, move the body to the gurney and prepare to leave the room. The HH staff would have brought them the quilt. They pull down the body bag to expose the face/neck and pull the quilt up and tuck them in. Leave the room, and the family would now see the body in peace and comfort. Wheel it down the hall, a mini-ceremony with some candles as they leave .... and do their farewells. Of course, some will just stand and weep. Others may break down, kiss the body, etc.

The only personalization might be with the HH staff choosing quilt A vs. B vs. C thinking which one suits the individual and family better.

Once the body is in the funeral home's van, the quilt is folded and carried back in to the building. Then off to the laundry,


MTS said ........ "What do the two that your HH already have look like?"

Not much to compete with! Very bland and blah and totally matches the HH colours. Just large rectangles with same colour diagonally down the quilt, kind of like an overized bargello with a stairstep effect. Quilt is tied. Fabric was a poly shiny fabric (think brocade like) .... 4 or 5 different fabrics used with just a subtle switch of colours/design.

I've been requested to have it coordinate with their colours ... a blue (brownish base tone), tans, beiges. The rooms and building have lots of warm wood throughout, rather than paint.

And yes, maybe that's part of my metnal block as I don't care for the colours in the rooms. I think they would depress me if I spent any time there. Certainly better than a cold hospital room ... been there, done that!

They did suggest that these could be more feminine, and perhaps use some yellow and pink.

In taking up the challenge, I said I would not promise them in any rush as I want to get some other things done first, sort my stash and know that I have picked the "right" pattern and fabrics so I will be happy with the results too.

Oops, sorry. I totally misunderstood the use for that particular hospice organization.

I was also wondering about whether the "passage quilts" were re-used by the facility or sent home with the family.

Oh that's OK ... when I first heard the term, I thought it was used in the manner that this will be plus it was sent home with the family. Or that it was used in their last days on their bed.

There's all different interpretations, particularly the links you gave where the one woman is making a business of teaching people how to make quilts from the old clothes. We've seen some beautiful Memory Quilts posted here .... and honestly, much nicer than many I've seen thru the other.

This is a post from a while ago RE passage quilts for soldiers. You may get some ideas from this.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-108523-1.htm Just another suggestion.

If the Hospice is affiliated with a certain religious group, crosses and angels, etc. might be okay.

If not, perhaps it is better to stay "generic" - ?

I've seen them in various colors - I quilted one for our guild that was in fall colors, but others were in shades of blue, shades of red (tending toward burgandy), and shades of green. The pattern used was very simple - a three-strip rail fence block (finished at 6") and nine-patches set on point and alternating with a solid color block. Here's a link to a picture: http://www.simplykitsquiltshoppe.com...dBoundKit.html

I don't remember the size of the quilt, but hopefully your hospice house can give you guidance on that.

Since quilts have two sides you could use their colors on one and something a bit more uplifting on the other.

I like that pattern.

Thanks for posting it.

What an interesting idea. My MIL is a director for a hospice; I'm going to see if they could use something like this.

Reversible is a good idea! Maybe patriotic on one side and something else on the other. I don't think it need match the decor though.

my personal choice would be one covered in pretty flowers, in quieter colors

Thanks all for some really good ideas and the links.

The reversable idea might be a good one ... use their colour scheme for one side, and go a little risque on the back. Would be interesting to see which gets used more. Plus it would really give them two quilts in one!


For those that follow ..... please feel free to add more thoughts and ideas. And I'd still like to see some pictures!

Okay, I'll bite... have made passage quilts in the past, although our passage quilts are for terminally ill patients and are given to the family to keep. Here's one pattern that is really fast to make and very versatile.

edited to add: here's a tip - instead of putting sashing in between all the blocks (which can be difficult to line up correctly), simply add 2 borders to every block. For instance, in this purple quilt, a narrow dark purple border was added, then a wider light purple border, then the blocks were simply sewn together.

Or how about this pattern - I think it's been called a potato chip quilt? It's made with one package of bali pops.

Or how about a simple 9-patch?

My mum's palliative care quilt was purple,white and green. I made one in Australian wild flowers for use at the same place.It was red,yellow,pink ,purple and green in colour.

I posted one a couple months back. Ours were used for over the body bags so you would think ours were drab, but the weren't. Blues and purples were in three of them. One was greens another was black white and red. Two more were totally scrappy. But we did stick to geometric patterns.

If they are being used by the hospice patients themselves, I would go happy and cheerful.

After reading the posts awhile back about Passage Quilts, I wanted to make one for a dear friend in my square dance club who was in the last stages of cancer. I cut some 6" blocks from my stash and made about 20 of the 10-minute blocks with the center diamonds of various pastel solids. It came out to be a large lap size. I quilted it with a polyester batting and a flannel back. Then I took it to our square dance club for everyone to sign their names in the center diamonds. I took it to the friend about 3 weeks before she died. Her husband later told me she was so proud of that quilt and used it every day, and showed it off to everyone who came to visit her. Now, he has the quilt to remind him of her and of how many people loved her. My only regret is that in my hurry to get it to her in time, I forgot to take a picture of it.

The one quilt guild that I belong to has made them for funeral homes. We did a rail in earth tone, and one in more towards neutrals maybe. It beats seeing there plain colored blanket with their logo on it.

When my stepfather died at home several years ago under hospice care, the funeral director who removed his body covered the gurney with a beautiful quilt in a soft green floral. It was especially meaningful as my mom, sister and I are all quilters. I have been a hospice nurse for over ten years and it was the first time I had seen a funeral home do this- have seen it once since then. I think it is a lovely idea and could also be offered to funeral homes, for those who die at home to continue the peaceful process as they are transitioned from home to funeral home. Just a thought I had- will have to look into it. But I really appreciate all of you who have made these quilts, it is so much more calming to a family than the alternative.

I think I'll make some of these...and one specially for myself!

Oooooops, sorry!

I have made several quilts for this purpose, they were called continuation quilts. they are offered to the family to take home.Patterns vary a four patch seems to be popular altho any pattern will work. I have done fans, four & nine patch, just cant cut it, ect.
Good luck with your new project, & have fun with them.
Gloria

This is the passage quilt that our guild members have been making in nature/earth colors for the funeral homes in our area.

Jane, do you know the measurements on the quilts? If I remember correctly, they're narrower and longer than a typical quilt. Thanks.

Read both pages before I replied. Months ago read here about "Passage Quilt". Friends brother died and she told me body bag/gurney was covered with quilt so she thought of me. The 2 sisters felt relieved as it passed them in the lobby but knew this was usual at this home for yrs-it's
Newmarket On. actually - my friend is friend of owner.

So I researched and talked to Funeral Director in our Ontario village. Now voluntered to make a quilt to be in hearst available when needed as covering. Going up to the gurney and saying goodbye is less stressful for other residents who knew that person -helps withdrawal.

Suggested was double sided -lady/manly 3ft x 8 ft.

I wanted to try 10 min block so do ladies side. Fabric promised to me next month will dictate man side as I will try to do all from stash with only a used sheet as batting to help with weight/ draping. Great time to use reversible quilting methods.
Have a pillowcase with "Lord is my Shepard" crossstitched on it I will give to them to store the quilt in the auto.
Want simple pattern made with love.
Families won't have to decide who gets the quilt after the funeral this way.
Will send photo here naturally when finished. Need to spend less time on QB and more time working on these projects.

That's a great idea.

I'm only familiar with one case where a quilt was given to a hospice patient, and that was a very dear aunt of mine. She was given a lap size quilt and it was kept by the family after her death. It was a well appreciated gesture.

I have made passing quilts foe a long time the family get to keep them Here are some of the quilts I have made. we some wonderful letters from the family saying how much the quilt meant to the person

I have been involved in our local hospital making "Peace Blankets." We make many simple blankets, about 45x45, one side pieced and colorful (possibly themed) and the back side is flannel. They are meant to be like a lap quilt and brighten the room.

These blankets are given to the hospice patients and later to the family of the deceased as a comfort, being the last thing their loved one touched and used.

This ministry is part of the hospital's NODA (NoOneDiesAlone) program. Trained volunteers give around the clock care to a hospice patient at the request of the family when they cannot be present to sit with their loved one.

It's very rewarding to be part of this compassionate ministry.

Look at sacredthreads.com. They address just the typw of quilts you are looking for.

All I see on that site is clothing. Nothing to do with quilts. Is it a different site possibly?

My Mom was also on Hospice when she passed away. The dear sweet nurse who cared for her brought her a darling quilt and it was (I'm sure) made from scraps. It had little houses in each block (not applique) and all were made from different colors. No two blocks the same colors and all were bound together with sashing of dark navy blue with red and yellow flowers, red binding and backing. It was lovely. So don't worry about colors just dive in and make them. They will truly be greatly loved and appreicated.

Sorry. The web site should be sacredthreadsquilts.com

I think you can get some lovely quilts using the simple tube quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. (missouriquiltco.com). See the tube quilt or Summer in the park tutes. Depending on your fabric choices you can evoke a number of looks. The Hourglass tute on Missouri Star is also very nice...a 9-patch alternates with an hour glass. A similar quilt is a 16-patch alternating with a pinwheel. I've seen a number of them posted here...they work up very well. There's directions for this one on Quiltville.com, called Patches & Pinwheels.