Alex, I've heard that referred to as a pall cloth - although I see in most websites like Wikipedia that a 'pall cloth' covers the coffin and was then (in the past) given to the church for use as vestments.
I don't know a huge amount about them, but I think the centre is a little bigger and not as square as a handkerchief. I think they were used to cover the face of the deceased and also I think kept the flies off the face. I'm sure someone out there would know more. Mum has a hankie trimmed with a nice piece of Beds made by her G Grandmother, that has a more rounded centre of cloth, and I know someone once suggested that it was the size or shape of a pall cloth (which might be interpreted as a bit morbid for a 21st birthday present if that's indeed the general dimensions of a pall cloth). Cheers, Helen, in snowy Duvall, WA - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
