My story
My name is Steph and I am a basketmaker. I live on a farm in rural Herefordshire where we have a small herd of cattle and I currently grow around 1/8 of an acre of willow with 26 different varieties of willow specifically chosen for basketry.
However, this hasn’t always been the case.
I am a qualified primary school teacher but I left the teaching profession in 2017 to cycle the length of South America, finishing two years later in Canada. The pandemic halted travel plans and in May 2022 I ‘had a go’ at basket weaving. Since then I’ve been hooked!
In October 2022 I started the City and Guilds Basketry course at Westhope College in Shropshire. Over ten months, and with the excellent mentorship of my course tutors, I passed with a Distinction and have become a confident basketmaker.
Since then I have attended numerous workshops with other basketmakers to develop my skills and learn new techniques. I love the learning process and finding new ways to do things!
How i came to weave coffins
A month into my year-long basketry course, sadly my grandad died and his coffin was the first one that I had ever seen. Up until this point, I hadn’t really thought about what a coffin would be like or how it would make me feel.
After the funeral I felt that there must be a more sustainable option to the standard MDF coffin and one that didn’t feel quite as impersonal, large and box-like as the cheap veneer ones. I fell down a rabbit hole, researching willow coffins and what was available locally. Finally in March 2023 I spent a week with another independant coffin maker, to learn the craft and I found the process of weaving a coffin to be totally different to anything I had done before.
I started to feel that there was a greater purpose to my weaving and a deeper connection to the natural materials I was using. This is especially true since I have planted (and now harvested by hand) my first crop of willow. For the willow to be grown and woven into coffins here on our small Herefordshire farm reduces the carbon footprint of our coffins considerably. The material travels less than 0.5 miles from field to workshop where I know that it has been organically grown, with no use of pesticides or herbicides and is 100% sustainable .
I am committed to using locally sourced, natural and sustainable materials in my coffins, ashes urns and basketry commissions, in order to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
My values and Ethos
Here at Wegnalls Willow Coffins, I (Steph) weave every coffin by hand in Herefordshire with love, skill and care.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to sustainability, connection, compassion and craftsmanship. These values are reflected in every coffin I weave.
Sustainability
Sustainability and the environmental impact of my work is really important to me, especially with living on a farm and seeing first hand the impacts of climate change.
All of the materials used in Wegnalls Willow Coffins are chosen for their quality and sustainability.
I prioritise using locally and responsibly sourced materials, such as the Welsh woollen rope for handles and weaving with my homegrown willow. (You can read about the sustainability of willow here on the blog.)
I love the circular aspect of the craft. Growing the willow within sight of my workshop, and weaving it into coffins that return to the earth just feels right. Even when cremated, the carbon footprint is far lower than using imported willow or slow-growing hardwoods. It’s local, renewable and rooted in care for the land.
Wegnalls Willow Coffins is a proud recipient of the Greener Globe Funeral Standard Trusted Supplier Platinum Award, demonstrating my commitment to environmentally friendly practices. You can read more about this award and what it means to me on the blog.
Compassion
Compassion, care and empathy are at the core of my work, and the reason why I do what I do.
Choosing a coffin is never easy. Which is why I feel honoured to help families create a coffin that is both personal and meaningful for their loved one. I offer support without pressure, taking time to listen and guide families gently at their own pace.
I am mindful of the emotions at this difficult time and approach every interaction with sensitivity and respect. Each family is treated with the same care and consideration I would give my own, and how I would like to be treated.
Connection
I welcome families to come and weave a section of the willow coffin, if they would like to or send photos of the process if visiting is not possible.
From experience, I have found that this can help form a connection with the natural materials. It also make the coffin feel less scary or daunting when viewed for the first time. Especially compared to when it is first seen at a funeral, which is something that I feel would have helped me with my Grandad’s coffin.
Families are also invited to add their own touches to the coffin. By adding these personal and special items, there is a greater sense of connection between the coffin, family and loved one that it is for.
Pictured here is an example of the additions that families might add. This was a natural burial coffin for a lady that loved to knit and some of her woollen creations were incorporated into the weaving around the handles. Another had dried flowers woven into the willow, all of which connects the person, their families and the coffin together.
Craftsmanship
I’m a perfectionist! I value attention to detail, ensuring each coffin or basket is strong, beautiful and made to the highest standards.
In 2023, I gained a distinction in my City & Guilds qualification in Basketry and I am a skilled weaver. But I’m always looking at new ways to improve my knowledge and skills. Usually this means learning from other experienced basketmakers and industry professionals. This helps me continually refine my work and maintain high standards of craftsmanship.
I believe that a coffin is the most special basket and final resting place that you can make for a person.
Wegnalls Willow Coffins are made with love and care in every weave.