When an endowed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passes away, family members face specific choices regarding funeral preparation and burial attire. Central to these final arrangements are sacred temple garments and ceremonial clothing. Understanding how these items are used requires looking closely at official church policies and traditional practices.
For deceased members who received their temple endowment, standard church guidelines encourage burial or cremation in full temple clothing. If local customs, family dynamics, or practical constraints make dressing the body impossible, the clothing may simply be folded and placed neatly inside the casket next to the deceased.
Understanding LDS Temple Attire for Burial
The physical preparation involves two distinct layers: the temple garments worn underneath, and the outer white ceremonial clothing. These items carry deep theological significance for members, symbolizing covenants made during life and commitments to the faith.
The Undergarments
The white temple garment is worn next to the skin throughout the adult life of an endowed member. When preparing a deceased individual for burial, the body is first dressed in these sacred undergarments. They serve as a constant reminder of personal covenants and the protection found through faith.
Standard White Clothing
Over the undergarments, deceased members are dressed in all-white outer clothing.
- For men: Attire includes a white long-sleeve shirt, white pants, white socks, white shoes or slippers, and a white necktie or bow tie.
- For women: Attire includes a white long-sleeve or three-quarter-sleeve dress (or a white blouse and skirt), white stockings or hosiery, and white shoes or slippers.
Families usually purchase these items through Church Distribution Services or use items the member already owned.
The Placement of Ceremonial Temple Clothing
Once the base white clothing is on, specific ceremonial pieces are placed over the attire according to exact traditional instructions.
The robe is placed over the right shoulder and secured with a drawstring tied at the left waistline. The green apron is then fastened around the waist. Following the apron, a white sash is wrapped around the waist and tied in a bow positioned over the left hip.
Head coverings complete the attire. For men, a white cap is typically placed beside the body until the casket is closed, at which point it is positioned with the bow resting over the left ear. For women, a white veil is draped on the pillow behind the head. Families can choose whether or not the woman's face is veiled before the casket closes, as this final detail remains optional.
Who Performs the Dressing Process?
Families rarely handle this task alone. Local leaders, specifically the bishop, coordinate with the Relief Society president for female members or the elders quorum president for male members. They assign mature, endowed members of the same biological sex to dress the deceased or oversee the mortuary staff.
Volunteers chosen for this duty treat the process with high reverence. Morticians often complete the initial sanitary preparation, while the assigned church members handle the specific layering of temple clothing. If family members hold active temple recommends and wish to participate, they may assist or perform the dressing.
Cremation and Alternative Final Arrangements
While traditional earth burial is common, cremation is sometimes chosen due to personal preference, cost, or regional laws. Church policies state that cremation is acceptable when burial is impractical.
When a body is cremated, the same protocol applies. The deceased is dressed in the temple garments and full ceremonial attire prior to cremation whenever local laws and family circumstances permit. If cremation rules prevent clothed cremations, the clothing is folded and placed within the container alongside or over the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can unendowed members be buried in temple clothing?
No. Temple clothing and garments are reserved exclusively for members who received their endowment in an LDS temple during their lifetime. Members who were not endowed are buried in standard personal clothing chosen by the family.
Who pays for the temple burial clothing?
Families of the deceased are responsible for acquiring the clothing. Items can be bought online or through local distribution centers. Wards and branch leaders can assist families in ordering these items quickly if a passing happens unexpectedly.
What happens if the deceased person was inactive in the church?
If an individual received their temple endowment earlier in life but later became inactive, they are still technically considered endowed. Church guidelines focus on the status of receiving the ordinance rather than active attendance, though families and local bishops ultimately coordinate to respect the wishes of the deceased and their surviving relatives.
Are non-members allowed to view the body after it is dressed?
Yes. Viewing and funeral services follow standard cultural practices. Friends and family members of other faiths frequently attend viewings where the deceased is dressed in temple attire, and local members are available to answer respectful questions about the customs.
