Shroud Bearer
Shroud Bearer
A shroud bearer is a rigid base used to support and carry a person who has died when they are covered by a Shroud rather than placed in a coffin or casket. It provides a practical way to move the person while keeping them supported and protected.
A strong carrying base. A shroud bearer needs to be strong enough to safely support the person being carried. It will generally have handles, handholds or another means of allowing people to carry it securely.
Rigid enough for cremation. Where a shroud burial is not taking place and the person is to be cremated, the bearer must also be sufficiently rigid to allow crematorium staff to move it from the head end and push it into the cremator. The bearer therefore becomes part of the practical equipment used to manage the person throughout the cremation process.
Different materials can be used. There is no single material or appearance that defines a shroud bearer. Depending on its intended use, it may be made from wicker, timber, rigid cardboard or another suitable material, provided it is strong and rigid enough for the task.
Part of the presentation. A shroud bearer can be visible throughout a funeral or ceremony, so its appearance may also form part of the family’s choices. A simple timber bearer may be appropriate for one funeral, while a woven or otherwise decorative bearer may better suit another.
Not the shroud itself. The Shroud is the material used to wrap or cover the person who has died. The shroud bearer is the support underneath the person that makes carrying and, where applicable, transferring them into a cremator possible.