What is a symbolic cloth covering placed over the casket during a funeral?

The pall is a symbolic cloth that is placed over the casket during a funeral service. This tradition originates from the use of palls in medieval England, where they were used to cover the caskets of the nobility. The pall serves multiple purposes: it signifies equality in death, as everyone is treated the same regardless of their station in life, and it represents the Christian belief in resurrection and eternal life. It is usually made of a heavy fabric, such as velvet, and can be adorned with symbols of faith, such as crosses or other religious emblems.

The other terms provided do not accurately describe the cloth used in this context. A shroud typically refers to a cloth in which a body is wrapped before burial, focusing on the physical aspect of death and preparation for burial. A veil generally denotes a piece of fine material worn by women for modesty or decoration and does not relate directly to casket covering. A coverlet is a bedspread or decorative cover for a bed, which has no connection to funeral practices. Therefore, the pall is specifically the appropriate answer in this context.