An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Pall

1) A square, stiffened white linen cloth that is used to cover the chalice at the eucharist. There may be a design on the side of the pall that does not touch the chalice. 2) A cloth used to cover the coffin at the Burial of the Dead. The BCP states that the coffin is to be closed before the burial service. The coffin may be covered with a pall or other suitable covering (p. 468). The colors of white or gold, associated with Easter and resurrection, are especially appropriate for the pall.

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.