I called my daughter whose husband is a funeral director in Boise. She in turn called her husband and he thought having quilts to use for small family viewings would be nicer than the white sheets they currently use. When he worked in Cincinnati they used passage quilts which he said was really nice. I volunteered to make 2 quilts for my-son-in law.

Thank you QuiltE for starting this thread.

It' a common practice thorughout the Hospice organizations. I'm sure that other facilities use them ... and if not, would be receptive to the idea.

ITA it would be hard for those in retirement homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes to see the removal of bodies. We all know it happens, and we know our time will come too ... though anything to comfort those directly connected to the deceased, as well as those with no specific connection, but connected due to circumstances, is well worth the effort.

One story I was told ... when the body bags and sheets were used, and bodies were removed, people in the halls, would turn away, somewhat in avoidance. Once the passage quilts were used, they noticed a different reaction ... somewhat a drop of heads/eyes in respect.

The first step is to ASK ... would you be interested .... and go from there!


SilverQueen ... that's wonderful news! I know DebCavan will be touched to know two more Passage Quilts will soon exist.

DebCavan ... What a nice memory for you, to know there will be two more passage quilts (and hopefully many more) thanks to your sharing your personal story and loss!

I couldn't agree more. What a lovely quilt for a wonderful purpose. Bless you for doing such wonderful, kind-hearted things.

I never heard of this before either. Interesting.

I am definately going to contact our local funeral home about this. Also will talk to our Hospice office. I can see where this could ease the mental picture our loved ones are left with. In the case of a hospital and/or nursing home people that aren't involved with the death still see what's going on. So a passage quilt could serve many purposes.

Thanks everyone ... I hope this inspires others to make the contacts, and help to see more Passage Quilts used.

Absolutely, HillCountryGal ... there's a lot of double meanings ... Passage, re death, and passage re the hallways. The quilts do help the loved ones in not seeing their deceased in a body bag, or the coldness of draped white sheets. And helps to comfort the others in the surroundings, in seeing the respect shown to this person. And too, just to know they get the same comforts in death as in life, can't help but be good for one and all.


So ... who has some other pictures to show of Passage Quilts they have done?

I hadn't heard of this before either. I think it's a lovely idea and a very respectful way to honor the passing.

I think this is a wonderful thing. When my husband passed away the funeral director made me leave the room while they put him on the gurney and it just deepend my sorrow that he was leaving under this large gray blanket. I had never heard of this before but I think it is a wonderful thing. I however would have like one to keep as a final memory of him. I can see that something as as simple as a gesture like this would be so meaningful to the family especially the remaining spouse or parent. I think I will call the funeral home that I used for my husband and ask about this. I would love to make something simple and peaceful to donate and have some family keep.

This is beautiful and what a good thing to keep as a memory. Could they also be called memoy quilts?

I recently made a quilt for a dear friend under the care of hospice. She chose to be cremated, wrapped in her quilt..