Willow Urns: A Gentle Return to the Earth

When someone we love dies, choosing how to honor their memory becomes deeply personal. For many families, a handwoven willow urn offers something special – a natural, beautiful vessel that returns gently to the earth.

What makes willow urns different

Unlike traditional urns that last forever, willow urns are designed to biodegrade naturally. They're woven from Somerset-grown willow, the same sustainable material we use for our eco-friendly coffins.

Each urn is crafted entirely by hand. No machines. No mass production. Just skilled fingers weaving each strand with intention and care.

The result?

A lightweight, elegant urn that feels warm to hold. One that can be buried in your garden, a woodland burial ground, or kept at home until you're ready. When buried, it naturally decomposes, allowing ashes to nourish the soil and complete the cycle of life.

Our handwoven willow urns

At Woven Farewell, we create willow urns in our workshops in Devon and Sheffield. Each one is woven with the same attention to detail as our full-sized coffins.

We offer different sizes and styles, from simple round urns to more elaborate designs. Some families choose to have multiple smaller urns, allowing ashes to be shared between family members or scattered in different meaningful places.

The willow can be left natural for a lighter appearance or woven with bark-on willow for a richer, darker tone. We can also add small personal touches like a handpainted nameplate or a sprig of dried flowers.

Learn to weave your own

There's something profoundly healing about creating with your hands during grief. That's why we offer willow urn weaving workshops at our Devon workshop.

Over two peaceful days, you'll learn traditional basketry techniques while creating your own urn. No experience necessary – just willing hands and an open heart.

The workshop is kept intentionally small. This gives everyone space to work at their own pace, share stories if they want to, or simply weave in companionable silence.

You'll master the base, weave the sides using a technique called waling, and create a fitted lid. By the end, you'll have crafted something beautiful with your own hands. Something uniquely meaningful.

Why choose biodegradable urns

More families are choosing natural burial options that align with their values. A willow urn supports this choice beautifully.

If you're planning a woodland burial, most natural burial grounds welcome biodegradable urns. They can be buried alongside wildflower meadows or beneath memorial trees, creating living memorials that grow and change with the seasons.

For those keeping ashes at home temporarily, willow urns feel less clinical than traditional options. They bring natural warmth to a memorial shelf or mantelpiece. And when you're ready for that final goodbye, the urn can go into the ground with the ashes, keeping everything together.

Supporting your choice

Whether you're looking to purchase a handwoven urn or learn to weave your own, we're here to help.

We understand that every family's needs are different. Some want to be hands-on in creating memorials. Others need something ready-made during an already overwhelming time.

Both choices are valid. Both create meaningful farewells.

If you'd like to discuss willow urns or book a workshop place, get in touch. We're based in Devon and Sheffield, serving families across the UK who are seeking natural, sustainable ways to say goodbye.