Choosing the right clothes to wear in a coffin
sir – My late husband always said he wanted to meet his maker holding a cricket ball. So he was interred (Letters, March 23) in his cricket whites, wicket-keeping gloves and, of course, holding that last catch. Penny Clive
Swanmore, Hampshire
sir – My grandfather was buried in a shroud, 44 years ago. When my father died, my mother fretted about whether his suit would fit properly for his final departure. I thought about when and where he had been happiest (which was never in a suit and tie), and consequently had him cremated in the old green boiler suit he wore while pottering about in the garden or his shed.
It was a huge comfort to see him “still Dad” before we said goodbye. Tim Bradbury
Northwich, Cheshire
sir – Thirty-six years ago I sat down and chose the clothes that my five-year-old daughter was to wear in her coffin. Yes, it was one of the saddest acts I ever undertook and still recalled with emotion.
What we wish our loved ones to wear in death is an immensely personal choice. Choosing a shroud, favourite suit or wedding dress (as was recently reported in your paper) is the last act of love we can, if we so want to, make.
It should not be seen as a waste of a good set of clothes.
Julia Andrew
Guildford, Surrey