Willow coffin
Living willow tunnel and dome
My name is Mary Cross. I came across the wonderful world of willow back in 2008 and find myself all these years later still immersed in this captivating, sometimes hard, but very rewarding lifestyle. Always learning and love to pass these skills onto others. I always warn my students that working with willow can be highly addictive!
Willow coffins
​Willow (or wicker) coffins have become increasingly popular over the years. My bespoke willow coffins are crafted in my workshop in Nunney near Frome, Somerset with love and compassion. All the materials used in my coffins are fully biodegradable and environmentally friendly; from the locally sourced willow to the rope handles, the hand carved toggles, the calico lining and the hay filled mattress and pillow. My coffins are suitable for natural burials and cremations.
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You are invited to come to my beautiful workshop and help weave part of a coffin, either for your loved one or yourslef. Weaving your memories into a coffin can play a major part in the process of grieving or the preparation for death.
Thoulstone Park Natural Burial Meadow
I am very proud to share my new role as Manager of the Natural Burial Meadow at Thoulstone Park. A title I would never have imagined calling myself prior to August of this year! My 18 year old son went for a job at Thoulstone Park and was called in purely because his name was very similar to someone they had worked with previously. While there, they discussed the fact that I make willow coffins and they asked if I might know of anyone who would be interested in setting up and running a natural burial site. I jumped at this opportunity and after emailing James and Alka, the owners, that night, met with them the next day and the rest is history!
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I am passionate about bringing this aspect of Thoulstone Park to life and I am very keen to promote the believe that life and death are two sides of the same coin. Merging the rhythms of life and death together has been lost in our culture for many years and is something I am keen to encourage. I will be on hand to guide you through the process from your first visit to the Meadow through to the burial or ashes interment and afterwards, should you need help locating your loved one’s grave. If I can help to make the experience of saying farewell to a loved one just a little easier to bear then that is what I intend to do.
For more information visit www.naturalburials.thoulstonepark.com or email me on burials@thoulstonepark.com to arrange a visit or just call me on 07899 065364 to have a chat.
Willow courses
Courses run regularly either at my workshop in Nunney or at other local venues in and around Frome or in Bath at the Urban Garden or just outside at Newton Farm, Newton St Loe. There are many options on offer from basketry to garden structures. They can be booked as part of a scheduled course or bespoke courses for private groups can be arranged in Nunney or at a venue of your choice.
I also run workshops at festivals. Shindig for many years and again this year in it's new home in Wiltshire. Heartwood and Wonderment
