Can anyone tell me a bit on the origins of a grave blanket?

Answer 1

You have to remember that building coffins came much later in history. When the cave men started digging holes and burying their dead they threw a bear or other animal skin over the body in hope that the smell of the skin will keep animal from digging the body up and consuming it....... Later when they develop the skills to make blankets they started using them to cover their dead. And that lasted up to time they started building coffins and they still covered the dead with blankets. That tradition lasted up to well into the 1800s............................................................

Answer 2

Could you mean The Shroud of Turin?.. This was a blancket as well.
Maybe this site and others can offer you a clue:

http://www.shroud.com/

Answer 3

sorry dont even know what a grave blanket is