Sacred Wings Shrouds
Personalised Shrouds
Commissioning a shroud is often much simpler than people imagine.
Some people come with a clear vision. Others simply know they would like something personal but are unsure where to begin. We start with a conversation and take one step at a time.
You might choose to:
• commission an entirely new shroud
• personalise one of my existing designs
• incorporate treasured clothing or family textiles
• add botanical prints, embroidery, photographs or symbolic imagery
• keep the design beautifully simple
Every commission is shaped around the person it is made for, your wishes and your budget.
Why commission a shroud?
Commissioning a shroud can be a final act of care, whether it is for
yourself or for someone you love.
For some people, planning ahead becomes unexpectedly life-affirming.
It offers a chance to reflect on what matters, to celebrate a life that is still unfolding, and to make thoughtful choices without pressure.
For others, creating a shroud after someone has died becomes part
of grieving itself.
Choosing fabrics, colours or small personal details can offer a sense
of agency at a time when so much feels beyond our control. For many families, the making of the shroud becomes part of the farewell itself.
A Recent Commission
A Shroud Inspired by Sarah's Textile Art
Sarah was living with a terminal illness when she asked me to create a burial shroud inspired by a textile artwork she had made more than thirty years earlier.
The artwork, created after a visit to the British Museum, was filled with Egyptian-inspired imagery and had remained an important reminder of her creativity throughout her life. Together, Sarah, her husband Tony and I explored how it might be reimagined as a shroud that felt both deeply personal and practical.
Working from her original textile, I developed a two-part Sacred Wings shroud using silk, cotton, cyanotype, embroidery and hand printing. With support from the British Museum, I was able to identify many of the symbols in Sarah's artwork and incorporate imagery inspired by the Book of Ani, together with a personalised hieroglyphic blessing that read, "Go in Peace, Sarah."
The Finished Shroud
A selection of photographs showing the completed commission, together with details of Sarah's original textile artwork.
Select any image to explore the commission in more detail.
Alongside these elements, the shroud included family photographs, prayers selected by Sarah and carefully chosen fabrics. Some details were placed on the inner layer, close to Sarah's body, while others remained visible on the outside, allowing different parts of her story to be held in different ways. Even the process of wrapping became part of the ritual, inviting moments of reflection and care.
More than creating a burial shroud, the commission became a way of celebrating Sarah's creativity, the people she loved and the life she had lived.
I remain deeply grateful to Sarah and her family for allowing me to share this story, and to St Catherine's Hospice, the British Museum and Arts Council England for supporting the project.
Follow the making process from the first sketches to the finished shroud.