What Are Grave Blankets For?
Loved ones often enjoy decorating a deceased family member's grave with flowers or other arrangements throughout the year. These decorations make the cemetary a more beautiful place and give family members a reason to visit. Some family members choose to purchase and use grave blankets on the graves of loved ones.
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Make-Up
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Grave blankets come in a variety of sizes and styles. Grave blankets are mainly comprised of pine boughs that have been tied together to form a large "blanket." Other flowers can be arranged within the pine boughs, and a large bow often adorns the grave blanket. Some are meant to cover an entire grave site, while others are smaller and are meant to cover just part of the grave.
Warmth
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Some families cannot help but to think about their loved ones buried in the frozen ground in the winter. Covering a grave with a grave blanket helps a family feel that they are keeping their loved one warm through the winter months.
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Decoration
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The main purpose of the grave blanket is to adorn the grave with decoration. Some people enjoy keeping their loved one's grave covered with living flowers throughout the year. However, especially in colder climates, live flowers will not survive in the cold. Since grave blankets are made primarily of evergreen branches, they can live through even the coldest winters. The bright ribbons also make the grave look nicer.
Tradition
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Grave blankets are not found in all areas of the United States. They are more commonly found where winters are cold. States such as Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, have more grave blankets than other areas. Traditionally, these blankets are used from late November until March or April. However, some families now use them for other occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and Mother's or Father's Day.
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References
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