Making a Grave Site Winter Blanket
Winter grave blankets are easy to DIY. Follow these steps and create a beautiful piece for your loved one!
If you have a loved one in need of a grave covering during the winter season, this is a beautiful thing to do and it is much cheaper than buying one! Aunt Mary always makes my Dad's Grave Blanket and she's showing you how to make one as well!
I make about four of these every year to place on loved ones graves. If I bought them I would spend over $150, and this time of year who really has the extra money? The satisfaction, joy and overall good feeling that you get, well, you can't put a price tag on that.
The one will go to my brother-in-law, John, Andrea's dad. My sister, Ruth wanted blue and silver (blue for John's eyes and silver because Ruth loves silver) I hope you enjoy this and will want to try and make one for yourself.
Before starting this project, check with the Cemetery to see if they allow these types of grave blankets. Some won't allow them so just double check. Most cemeteries allow these to stay on the grave until March or a little after.
Grave Blanket Necessary Materials
- Chicken Wire, 2′ x 4′ Piece
This will make a large blanket 4′ x 6′, which will cover the entire grave. You can use a 1′ x 2′ wire to make a smaller one as a Grave Pillow. This is done the exact same way only smaller. - Evergreen, assortment
You can use any assortment of evergreen, you can find these at your local nursery for sale, I was able to pick them from my yard. I used Ewe, White Pine, Blue Spruce and Cedar (in that order). For a 4′ x 6′, I collected the following:- 20 branches 4-5 inches long of Ewe
- 10-12 branches 4-5 inches long of White Pine
- 6-8 branches 2-3 inches long of Blue Spruce
- 6-8 branches 1-2 inches long of Cedar
- Wired Ribbon (18′ long), Ornaments or Decorations
Any wired ribbon about 18 inches long and an assortment of ornaments or any other decorations. You can also buy the ribbon already made into a bow. Most craft stores usually have ribbon 50% off this time of year.
DIY Steps
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- Take your longest evergreen (Ewe) and begin to weave the stem in and out of the wire. I started at each end and worked my way around.
- Finish weaving the first layer of the evergreen (shown above)
- Start to layer the second layer of evergreen by weaving in and out on top of the first layer (White Pine). Then layer the third on top of the first and second (Blue Spruce). Keep in mind that every layer you do, weave it in and out going toward the center of the chicken wire with each layer.
- Finish with your smallest evergreen in the center of the wire (Cedar).
The finished product! Add your ribbon to the center of the Grave Blanket, as well as any decorations. Pick the blanket up from underneath supporting both ends of the wire and place on the grave. This should be very sturdy and will lay very nice.
If you have trouble or would like more help, please leave a comment and I will be glad to offer more assistance!
Don't forget to Pin this on Pinterest to save for later!
Find MORE Easy Crafts HERE
Making a Grave Site Winter Blanket
Learn how to make a blanket to cover for your loved one's grave site during the cold and winter months.
Ingredients
- Chicken Wire, 2′ x 4′ Piece
This will make a large blanket 4′ x 6′, which will cover the entire grave. You can use a 1′ x 2′ wire to make a smaller one as a Grave Pillow. This is done the exact same way only smaller. - Evergreen, assortment
You can use any assortment of evergreen, you can find these at your local nursery for sale, I was able to pick them from my yard. I used Ewe, White Pine, Blue Spruce and Cedar (in that order). For a 4′ x 6′, I collected the following:- 20 branches 4-5 inches long of Ewe
- 10–12 branches 4-5 inches long of White Pine
- 6–8 branches 2-3 inches long of Blue Spruce
- 6–8 branches 1-2 inches long of Cedar
- Wired Ribbon (18′ long), Ornaments or Decorations
Any wired ribbon about 18 inches long and an assortment of ornaments or any other decorations. You can also buy the ribbon already made into a bow. Most craft stores usually have ribbon 50% off this time of year.
Instructions
- Take your longest evergreen (Ewe) and begin to weave the stem in and out of the wire. I started at each end and worked my way around.
- Finish weaving the first layer of the evergreen (shown above)
- Start to layer the second layer of evergreen by weaving in and out on top of the first layer (White Pine). Then layer the third on top of the first and second (Blue Spruce). Keep in mind that every layer you do, weave it in and out going toward the center of the chicken wire with each layer.
- Finish with your smallest evergreen in the center of the wire (Cedar).
Thos look so nice!
Very nice work. I am planing one very similar. The translation is very bad.Happy Christmas
I had never heard of a grave blanket …But it is Beautiful!
This is gorgeous. I have bought for my grandparents grave but never thought to make them. You did a lovely job.
Thank you. I do it out of love and respect for the loved ones that have passed. I enjoy doing this every year, and I was honored when Andrea asked me to put this together to show everyone how easy they can be. If you have the time, please try this for yourself. I know you will get great satisfaction from doing it.
Thank you Mary and Andrea for sharing your hearts and talents!
I make 3 grave pieces every year as well, but you way seems much more manageable.
I look forward to trying your method, just collected evergreens and holly today.
Wishes for peace and a blessed Christmas season.
Sincerely,
Beth K
Sine the greens are real, will these not die and look ugly or do they stay green for a while through winter??
Mandy, these have always stayed beautiful and green through the winter.
My dad died two months ago, and I just wanted to thank you for posting these instructions. I know making this with my mom will help her through our first Christmas without him. Appreciate your instructions and Merry Christmas!
Erin, I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. Christmas and Holidays are always a tough time. I hope you and your mom enjoy making this together. I was just talking to my mom this week about Dad’s grave blanket since my Aunt just finished it. It has blue in it again and she commented “I always want the blue for the blue in your Dad’s eyes.” Their memory is in everything we do. Have a Merry Christmas!
Do you have any suggestions on a base for Easter blankets/pillows? Is it still ok to use pine or is there something else you would recommend?
I’d like to make one of these for my son’s grave. His grave is very small and the cemetery said the blanket will need to be 1’x3′. How much chicken wire and greens do you suggest I use?
Emily, you could use half the size suggested. HTH!
I was wanting to pin this but it comes up as can not be pinned. Is there a way that I can add it to my board? I’d like to make this for a few family members and I’m afraid I will loose this link.
Your grave blanket is beautiful! I lost my daughter in 2009 at the age of 26. It was an unexpected and tragic death. I have bought her grave blankets since then but have been unhappy with them all. They do not seem to fit her personality and would love to make them. I was reading your directions but wondered about the layering part. Do you put layer two through the same wire spaces that you put layer one through or do you place them in other wire spaces? I noticed that you said to place layer two on top of layer one. I guess I just am not quite sure what you mean. Could you explain it a little different so I can maybe catch it better? I’m sorry. Thanks so much!
Aunt Mary… When you weave the stems, do they need to be secured with wire so they don’t fall out?
Thank you so much. I’ve bought my blankets for my customers for 23 years. The cost of the premade one was going to run up the bill for them in a unreal way. Now I feel like I can do this for them..Thank you for me and them, God bless.
This is my first attempt to make one . My 3 year old son passed away 5 months ago Xmas was his favorite time of year and I want his grave to be as beautiful as he was.
Andrea, Thank you for posting directions for making grave blankets. My husband died in April and the holidays are going to be hard to deal with without him…My kids and I are going to make one that will show his personality. I think doing this together will help somehow…..
Sherri, I’m so sorry for your loss! I sincerely pray for your family as you make this for his grave site. {hugs}
This was exactly what I was looking for -even the shape and colors! Perfect for winter time. I am going to do this project and perfect for the budget. Thank you for sharing your well laid out instructions!
Hi Judi, thanks for visiting! Please share a picture when you make one if you can!
I’m confused about the 1-2” and 2-3” branches. That seems awfully small to even weave into the wire
My 6byear old son Braylen just passed in July of 2018, I’m making him a grave blanket and love these ideas, but I’m want to make his blanket look like child’s with ninja turtles on it. Any ideas?
Hi there …my dad died almost 2 months ago…he was 90, but still my dad …he lived a good life with my mom; (that is, after surviving in a Siberian POW camp for 3 years @ 15!!!) – married almost 64 years!!! & lived in their original home!!!…(funny, a home that cost $14,000.-…this is a SUPER project…especially for my mom & me…kudos!!!
Could you tell me please how i would do this with a artificial tree, wanted to make one out of my grandma’s tree she had before she passed away, if u could email me how to do it i would appreciate it very much Thank You
Hi Andrea,
This is lovely. Do you make for other people? Where do you live?
Hi Carla, I do not make them. My aunt shared this as she has made them for my father’s grave. We are in Ohio :)
How is it secured so it doesn’t get blown away?. Winters here are severe. I have made but not sure how to secure.
Thanks
I had not heard of this before and they are so beautiful.
I lost my baby girl Lindsey on July 7th this horrible year 2019.It was a horrifying tragic accident that I caused. We lost her Daddy last year and my precious darling beautiful daughter was 37 and had always lived at home with us. Now it is just me here alone and I am 75 and I just want to see them so bad.
When I go to visit her it is awful, her grave has just hard packed earth and the cemetery won’t even plant grass after the few seeds they scattered did not grow. I have put top soil and my own grass but they got real mad at me. I am still waiting for her gravestone to be engraved.
I ask and they said I can have this from October until March.
The thing is I have very bad arthritis and I don’t think I can do it.
I just want one with maybe beautiful snow white flowers to which I could add seasonal things. Do you possibly make these to sell? Or do you know where I might buy one? I live in Virginia. Thank you for taking time to read my long comment.
June
I make these to sale I have my own business page on Facebook and also Pinterest.
Thank you for your instructions. Im going to make this for my son this coming Sunday. He was killed this January 26, 2019 at 18 with his 17 year old girlfriend from a man driving 122 miles a hour. This is our first holidays without him and then my dad died 3 weeks ago but was cremated so I cant make him one. Its just been a terrible year.
Lori, I’m so sorry for your losses, and so close together too! Sending you lots of big virtual hugs! <3
Thank you for sharing. I am going to make one for my brother. He was buried on October 15th and I can’t stand the bare dirt. It will make me feel better to do something for him – it is so hard to go to the cemetery & the holidays will be so hard for us.
Debbie, I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs!