Time, space and companionship for a deeply personal journey 

An Invitation

Making your own shroud is a practical, profound and wonderfully creative undertaking. Whether you are just beginning to explore the idea or already have a shroud underway, this retreat offers time and space to step into the process alongside others.

Making a shroud asks something of us. Alongside the practicalities of materials, design and construction, we may find ourselves tending grief, courage and creativity, or simply making friends with our own mortality. It can be creative, moving, challenging, comforting, and unexpectedly joyful.

Over two days we'll gather to support one another in the practical work of making, sharing knowledge and experience where it's helpful, while allowing plenty of time for individual making, reflection and rest. There is no expectation that your shroud will be finished; this retreat is about honouring the process, wherever you find yourself within it.

Dates and times

Retreat begins: Thursday 17th September, at 6pm

Retreat ends: Saturday 19th September, at 5pm

Thursday evening will be a general introduction and settling, followed by optional meditation session.

Friday and Saturday sessions will be from 10am to 5pm with lunch and morning and afternoon breaks.

There will be optional meditation sessions in the mornings and evenings.  

Venue and accommodation

We will meet together at a small retreat centre in Luddendenfoot in Calderdale.  The venue is owned and run by my good friend Rebecca who is a Zen priest.  The house is very spacious with a beautiful zendo where we will have our sessions, a large communal kitchen, balconies looking out over the canal and beautiful views of the park and woodland. 

Overnight accommodation is available at the house, in single or shared rooms.  

Limited free street parking is available directly outside the house.  Recommended free street parking is available 2 minutes walk away.

There are stairs inside the building.  Please talk to me if you have any access needs. 

Exact address and directions once booking is complete.  

Price

Two-day retreat, including food, non-residential = £225 

Retreat, food plus 2 nights accommodation = £265

Extra nights either side in the same venue = £20 per night

Paying in installments is possible, to be arranged on an individual basis.

Food and drink

Simple, vegetarian, wholesome food will be provided from Thursday evening until Saturday lunch.  Healthy snacks and drinks will be provided throughout. The kitchen will be available for anyone who wants to bring and prepare their own food. Please let us know about any allergies and dietary requirements.

The retreat will be an alcohol and drug-free space, enabling us to be present and grounded with each other.

Facilitation 

The retreat will be facilitated by Rachel Hawthorn - death doula, artist and shroud maker. Rachel believes that a shroud can be a deeply personalised object that can act as a physical and symbolic bridge for us between life and death. Her mission is to open the way for people to concieve and create their own shrouds, enabling gentle, creative engagement with death preparation, bringing beauty and connection to the end of life, and dealing tenderly with the fear and grief that may naturally arise as we face the inevitable.

How can a shroud represent and reflect the life of the person it wraps? How can a shroud connect each of us to whatever it is in life that we love dearly? How can the act of wrapping bring beauty and care at death? And how can making illuminate our lives and love? These are some of the questions that we will bring to each other on the retreat.

Rebecca, who lives at the venue, will be offering communal optional zazen - silent meditation in the Zen tradition - in the mornings and evenings. Gentle instruction will be given to anyone new to meditation.

Sessions will be kept spacious and there will be plenty of time for rest and reflection in our time together.

Q and A

What is a shroud?

A shroud is the word used for cloth or fabric that is wrapped around a person after death. 

Can I use a shroud instead of a coffin?

Yes. Shrouds are very normal in some cultures and in other parts of the world, although it is not a well known/popular choice or idea in mainstream UK culture.  Shrouds can also be used as well as a coffin.

Why might I want a shroud?

For many reasons… a shroud is a much greener alternative to a traditional coffin, using less materials and biodegrading more easily, creating a much smaller carbon footprint and makes a lot of sense for natural burial.  A shroud is soft, flowing, and has no hard edges.  A shroud offers the prospect of being wrapped, rather than boxed.  Shrouding is an ancient practice that can connect us to our ancestors. If we prepare one ahead of time, a shroud can be folded up and stored for when it is needed.  We might choose to have it with us before we die, either in a practical way like a blanket or as an art piece, as a way of connecting with our mortality.

Do I need to have creative skills?

No, not necessarily.  A shroud can be a very simple thing and can be made without any pre-existing creative skills.  On this course there is an optional extra component where you can collaborate with me or commission me to make your shroud for you. There would be an extra charge for any additional time needed from me for making or collaborating with you.  

I have creative skills!

Great! Then let's think and feel together what your shroud might be like and how you might use your skills to make it.  Being part of this group process will support you to bring your own vision to reality. 

Can I come on this retreat to make a shroud for someone else?

Yes, for sure, you are welcome to make a shroud for someone else on this retreat.

Feedback from previous participants at my events and workshops:

I felt Rachel held the whole day with warmth, kindness and a profound sense of understanding of both the simplicity and sacredness of the practice of shrouding.  This enabled those of us present to touch on our own tenderness and to be witness for each others process.  Deepest Thanks. 

A beautiful scared space.  Held together with love.

Powerful and extraordinary and yet very ordinary and pragmatic.

Beautiful workshop.  Empowering - please teach us more!

By purchasing a ticket you are agreeing to the booking terms and conditions.