A kittel, also spelled kitl, (Yiddsish: קיטל), robe, coat, cf. German Kittel ‘(house/work) coat’) is a white robe which serves as a burial shroud for male Jews. It is also worn on special occasions by Ashkenazi Jews. In western Europe this garment is called a Sargenes. The word Sargenes is related to the Old French serge as well as Latin 'serica. The term has mainly fallen out of use in modern times. The kittel, or sargenes, is used as a burial shroud, providing simple dress that assures equality for all in death. It is also worn on Yom Kippur and in some instances on Rosh Hashanah.