What is a shroud commonly used for in funerary practices?

A shroud is commonly understood as a cloth or garment specifically used to wrap a deceased person before burial. This practice serves several purposes, including the respect and dignity afforded to the deceased, keeping the body contained for the process of burial, and often, it aligns with cultural or religious customs regarding death and the treatment of the dead.

In various traditions around the world, shrouds can also carry symbolic meanings, representing purity, a return to the earth, and the transition from life to death. By appropriately covering the body, it not only serves a practical function but also respects the deceased in their passage to the afterlife, reinforcing the cultural practices associated with funerary rites.

The other choices focus on different aspects of funerary practices, but they do not define the primary role of a shroud as accurately as the selected answer. Artifacts buried with the deceased, ceremonial garments for family members, or memorial decorations are distinct elements that do not encapsulate the specific function of a shroud in funerary practices.