|
Passage Quilts ** Photos & Discussion **
Please post Photos of Passage Quilts that you have made to help inspire others.
In another thread, there has been some discussion and questions about Passage Quilts. I thought it might be best to start a new thread to help answer questions and to showcase ones that have been made. Please add your photos, and join the discussion. |
For those that have been asking ... What is a Passage Quilt?
Generally, the concept is that the quilt is used to cover a body, as it is removed from the place of death. That may be at the hospital, Hospice House, personal residence, accident scene, etc. Without a doubt, a tastefully made quilt is certainly more comforting than to see a loved one in a body bag. Similarly, for those who perhaps have no connection to the one who has passed, and by circumstances are present. Who has them? It is my understanding that this is a common practice at Hospice Houses, across <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region> and the USA. This practice may be used in your area, though you may never have heard of it, for not having had any direct involvement. Some funeral directors keep them in their van/hearse that would be used to pick up a body. And too, there will be local variations. Does the family receive the Passage Quilt? These are not meant as "keepers" for the family. They are used repeatedly. At our local HH, they keep them there, using them as the body is removed from the room and their home, and into the funeral director's van. It is then folded and carried back in by one of the staff members. All that being said, some HH have "quilts" that are given for use in the final days, that the family may keep. These are not passage quilts, as such. If I am going to make one, what next? A word of caution, please DO NOT make a passage quilt without speaking with the intended recipient (i.e. HH, funeral director). Being that these are repeatedly used, their inventory will not need replenishing too often. Plus, because the quilts will not have rough-tough use, they will last for an extended time. Also, some individuals/groups have given the commitment to make the new quilts, as needed. What size should I make? Each organization will know what size works for their purposes. The HH I have made for, asked for 60x80". On the other thread, I noticed the size was 60x90". Earlier I learned that one group is required to make them 90x120". What colour and quilt design should I choose? Again, please see above, and take the guidance from those who will use them. Some may have very specific requirements and may want to approve before you start. For the most part, I am sure you will be guided to something that is pleasing to the eye, calming, and soft colours. Even with their guidance, I have a hard time choosing the quilt pattern, and fabrics, as I know this is not the time for my quilt to jump forth and say, here I am!! Remember, this is to help the family and loved ones in their grief process and not to create a different discomfort. Bless You!! For all that have made or will make a Passage Quilt, Bless You for your kindness. I have not been the recipient of the comfort of a Passage Quilt, though know the discomfort, in there not being one. Making them for our local HH has given me rewards beyond what I thought would happen ... a different sort of comfort and peace. I'm glad that I have made this commitment. By no means, is this all there is to know about Passage Quilts!!!!! I felt it was a good discussion to start, and chose to give some insights as to what I have learned along the way, and hopefully to help others . And too, I hope this helps inspire others to get involved. I know there are others who are more knowledgable than I. And please, please please, Everyone ... add your further comments and join the discussion. And please do not forget to add PHOTOs of Passage Quilts you have made!! Thank you! |
What a great thing this is. I have made prayer quilts but know I would have loved to have something like this over my dear sweet mom in her last moments with us before the funeral director took her away.
|
2 Attachment(s)
Butterflies for Comfort .... a Passage Quilt that I made for our Hospice House, using my Double Rose Trellis pattern.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]352917[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]352918[/ATTACH] |
Very nice, respectful and calm. Perfect pattern for this type of quilt. Nice job.
|
This quilt is beautiful! and perfect for that sacred moment. I had never thought of a passage quilt before. What a tender thought, something to ease what could be a difficult time. Thanks for posting.
|
This is such a wonderful idea and what a beautiful quilt you made E!
Hugs April |
Thanks Ladies ... I am humbled, though the purpose of this thread wasn't as a praise QuiltE time.
... discussion ladies, and more pics, please!!!!!!!! :) |
It would like some of my guilds to make these quilts
thank you for the idea |
I had not heard of this before the other thread. It is a great idea. I am curious as to how receptive the funeral directors, assisted living directors, etc. are to the idea. I would think that in a retirement home/assisted living facility, that it would make losing a friend/neighbor so much easier when each individual ages nearer to their own passage, and sees a passage so much more often than those of us in the "outside world".
|
Originally Posted by laurafet
(Post 5411324)
I had not heard of this before the other thread. It is a great idea. I am curious as to how receptive the funeral directors, assisted living directors, etc. are to the idea. I would think that in a retirement home/assisted living facility, that it would make losing a friend/neighbor so much easier when each individual ages nearer to their own passage, and sees a passage so much more often than those of us in the "outside world".
Thank you QuiltE for starting this thread. |
Originally Posted by laurafet
(Post 5411324)
I had not heard of this before the other thread. It is a great idea. I am curious as to how receptive the funeral directors, assisted living directors, etc. are to the idea. I would think that in a retirement home/assisted living facility, that it would make losing a friend/neighbor so much easier when each individual ages nearer to their own passage, and sees a passage so much more often than those of us in the "outside world".
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! |
Originally Posted by LovingIzabella
(Post 5410787)
This is such a wonderful idea and what a beautiful quilt you made E!
Hugs April |
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..
|
Originally Posted by sguillot
(Post 5414815)
This is beautiful and what a good thing to keep as a memory. Could they also be called memoy quilts?
They are functional, in that they are repeatedly used. The intent is to soften the harshness that you experienced of your husband leaving on the gurney with the large gray blanket. (For some, in a body bag and/or white sheets) |
In the state of Michigan the coverings that are on the body when it is removed from the home is by law mandatory that it be burned due to bodily fluid laws. We were not returned the sheets that were my fathers passage coverings. This information was given to me by the funeral home. Mom wanted her sheet back.
It would be heart breaking to have to burn a quilt unless it was made to be burned. Good information to know. |
Originally Posted by Steady Stiching
(Post 5414873)
In the state of Michigan the coverings that are on the body when it is removed from the home is by law mandatory that it be burned due to bodily fluid laws. We were not returned the sheets that were my fathers passage coverings. This information was given to me by the funeral home. Mom wanted her sheet back.
It would be heart breaking to have to burn a quilt unless it was made to be burned. Good information to know. This is one of the reasons that I have emphasized that before making a Passage Quilt, that discussions be held with those who will be using it. In some areas the use of body bags are required when removing bodies, and perhaps this is for the same reasons as you have mentioned above? I do know that Passage Quilts have been used over top to make it a gentler process for the family/friends present. Perhaps the Michigan requirements could be met, with the sheets burned, as they are next to the deceased, and then a Passage Quilt overtop? Just a thought ... and certainly laws must be obeyed! |
1 Attachment(s)
I was asked by my sister to make a passage quilt for a friend of a friend of hers. Daughter and fiancee were killed in a car accident just a week before the wedding. They were both in the coast guard and she was very athletic. I was given her t-shirts we also spent time talking about who she was and what she liked. Then I made this memory quilt for her mother. The quilt incorporated her favorite colors as well as the collection of t-shirts. Another way to deal with the grieving process and it meant so much. I have made about 4 of these for different people and they always appreciate them so very much. Using special clothing as a basis to then create a special quilt that was a piece of there loved one. They will never be far away and it will be there to wrap up in and remember.
|
QuiltE your quilt was lovely....the butterflies and the neutral colors are quite calming for a family to see. Roserips your
quilt for the family of the car accident victim is also outstanding. Both of you are to be commended for making passages easier for the families. God bless you both. |
I made a 54 x 60 prayer quilt for a friend. The family insisted that it be used on their mom's casket and removed before burial and returned to them. The family than used it for a sister who died. Now, it is on the sofa in the living room of the oldest daughter in the family until she needs it as her passage quilt. A great idea!
|
I love this idea, as a critical care nurse I have put many in the horrid body bags ,I wish we could do this at the hospital......
|
I had not heard of this before now. It is a lovely way to help the family and residents when someone passes. Thanks for all the information.
|
That is such a nice idea! I think I will do just that. Thanks for the info.
|
The group I belong to has made 10 so far and more on the way. We started out with nursing homes and assisted livings, the funeral parlors and hospitals. Our pun is that we want to "blanket" the whole River Valley area. We like the idea of the funeral parlors also receiving them since they then use them in the private homes. We have now had the families of two members of our group receive the kindness of the use of these quilts.
|
Originally Posted by debcavan
(Post 5416215)
The group I belong to has made 10 so far and more on the way. We started out with nursing homes and assisted livings, the funeral parlors and hospitals. Our pun is that we want to "blanket" the whole River Valley area. We like the idea of the funeral parlors also receiving them since they then use them in the private homes. We have now had the families of two members of our group receive the kindness of the use of these quilts.
Perhaps you would add to this thread and re-post the photos that you have? |
Originally Posted by raedar63
(Post 5416117)
I love this idea, as a critical care nurse I have put many in the horrid body bags ,I wish we could do this at the hospital......
Just start the discussions ... you are in the right place to have connections to get it started. Plus, you're a quilter. Perhaps you could make the first? Or, perhaps you are part of a Guild that would do so? Maybe they would take it on as a group project, as DebCavan's has? You could always show them these threads and others on the subject here on the QB to help them understand the reasons, even better! |
My father was 91 when he passed. During those last years he was always cold due to circulation problems. My daughter made him a fleece blanket from "John Deere" fabric since he was a farmer all his life. This wonderful blanket kept him warm at home, when he came to live with me, in the nursing home, and during the many trips to the hospital. When his time of passing came we did not want the "body bag or sheet" to cover him during his final trip from the hospital. We chose the blanket that had kept him warm for such a long time, and that he had proudly told everyone his granddaughter made for him as his "passage quilt". The funeral home understood our wishes and cooperated fully. The blanket was ultimately returned to my daughter as a treasured keepsake.
|
1 Attachment(s)
I just sent an email to the funeral home director in our small town. I included a link to this thread and a picture of an in-progress quilt I think would be good for this purpose. I'll let you know what his reply is. Here's a pic of the one I think would be good to use. If he has no need of it I'm sure I'll find it a good home elsewhere.
|
JanTX ... it's going to be a perfect Passage Quilt. Not too flashy, so it will be a soft-looking cover for the deceased and provide comfort to the family/friends present. You might want to give him a link to some of the other threads on this subject.
Mr Funeral Director .. I hope you agree and accept JanTX's kind offer. |
'little quilts of love' are made in south australia for the use of parents of still born or babies that have died soon after birth---these are held by the hospital so parents can have a small choice---approx 20x20 inches---some go with the babies some kept by the family
|
Thank You for the beautiful idea-our daughter died at 38 years old last November and her ashes are in a blue Butterfly urn, I shall put butterflies now into my Passage quilt of her leftover clothing and her wedding dress also-thank you for your help.
|
Oh my, I had decided that I was goin' ta make quilts for the residents, at the living care facility that my DMIL is at. Right now there are only 5 residents there. I can easily make a quick strip quilt for each o' em by Christmas I think I'll tell the manager ta use 'em as 'nap quilts' while they are alive & 'Passage quilts' for when they die. I'll make more for any other residents that come ta live there. Thank you QE for this info.
|
A passage quilt brings so much comfort!
Blessings to all who have made them! :) |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:52 PM. |