Meander, Tasmania
5th - 9th November 2025
12th - 16th November 2025
PLEASE NOTE - THIS COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE EMAIL TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST
Want to make your own or a loved one's coffin?
Want to cut funeral costs in a aesthetically beautiful way?
Interested in sustainability, and want to learn end of life practical sustainabiliy skills?
Welcome!
This is a fantastic course for anyone wanting to gain practical willow coffins skills. Taught by Sophia, an award winning willow coffin maker with over six years under her belt in willow coffins, and 13 years in willow basketry. The first willow coffin course in Australia, it is a unique opportunity to learn skills in willow coffins for yourself, for a loved one, or to share in your community.
At a time when there is not only a cost of living crisis in Australia but also a cost of dying crisis, learning practical coffin making skills that can be shared and transferred to others, is a vital piece in the jigsaw puzzle of allieviating unnecessary funeral costs and the attached emotional strain. Sophia is passionate about bringing meaningful, community-led practices to deathcare, and my hope is that my visit to Australia can help seed and ripple outwards willow coffin creation knowledge, to weavers and non-weavers alike.
Willow, a natural material found in many locations in Tasmania, is classed as invasive in Australia after introduction in the 1800s by Europeans for willow basketry. We will be using a source cultivated in Tasmania, using basketry varities as well as the more common 'crack' willow. Although the willow was imported by Europeans, the craft of weaving was and is still practiced by Aboriginal people, including pandanus, palms and selected bark fibers.
In the relaxed environment of Meander Memorial Hall with a small student group, Sophia will introduce you to the foundations of willow coffins, before making your own. We highly encourage you to bring along a family or friend to help weave at no extra course costs, as the course will be fairly physical due to the thickness of the willow
COURSE CONTENT:
-
Introduction to willow coffins
-
Preparing the coffin sides
-
'Upsetting' the side stakes
- Three rod waling weave
- English randing and french randing side weaves
- Rope handles using natural rope
- A three-behind-two rod border
- Lid production
- Willow plait border around the lid
- Coffin lining
Your coffin will be made on a wooden base, and will be a double-round ended design. Although weaving experience is useful, this course is also appropriate for beginners.
The coffin is yours to take home! If you are not planning on taking the coffin with you at the end of the course, please arrange for it to be picked up from Meander Neighbourhood House on the next working day, Monday 10th November or Monday 17th November. For courier calculation purpose: approximate external dimensions are 190cm x 40cm x 60cm, approximate weight is 25 kilos.
I highly recommend you bring another person along with you to help you weave, however if that's not possible then that's fine as I will be on hand to help.
COURSE TIME AND DATES:
EITHER Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th November 2025, or Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th November 2025.
Each day commences at 9.30am and will finish at approximately 5pm.
Location:
The courses will be held in the Meander Neighbourhood House in Meander, AKA the Old Primary School. Meander is 3 hours north of Hobart by car. If you want to make more of an adventure from your trip, there are lots of beautiful and fun things to see and do in the area.
COURSE COST:
The total cost of the course will be $2300, which includes all materials and of course your coffin - handmade willow coffins retail for at least this price - which will consist of advance non-refundable deposits of:
- 1st deposit: $500 on initial booking to secure your place
- 2nd deposit: $500 9 months before the first course date - 5th February 2025
- 3rd deposit: $300 6 months before the course date - 5th May 2025
Of course, initial payment in full would be appreciated, but I understand different financial positions.
We look forward to meeting you!
