How long does it take a burial quilt to biodegrade?

Photo Credit: Lisa J. Whitmer

The best estimates I’ve seen show that natural fibers like cotton and linen (the two I use most in my burial quilts, and I only used natural fibers, down to the 100% cotton thread) can decompose in just a few weeks or months, depending on the local soil conditions. Wool takes a little longer, while silk and hemp are highly biodegradable. For more on which fabrics you should choose for your burial quilt, please click here.

Making decisions about end-of-life care is a deeply personal subject. If you’d like to talk more about burial quilts, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email me.