Sacred Wings Shrouds
A Different Way of Making
Choosing a shroud rather than a conventional coffin is, in itself, a more sustainable choice.
Traditional coffins often rely on large quantities of timber, metal fittings, glues, varnishes and synthetic materials. A simple textile shroud requires far fewer resources and offers a gentler, lighter approach to the end of life.
The way I make my shrouds reflects those same values. From the materials I choose to the printing techniques I use, every decision is guided by a desire to tread more lightly and create something that is both beautiful and environmentally responsible.
For many people, choosing a shroud is also a final act of gratitude towards the Earth.
Made by Hand
Sacred Wings is my independent artist's practice based in Brighton.
Every shroud is designed and made by me, by hand. There are no production lines, no factories and no anonymous manufacturing.
Each piece is created slowly, in conversation with the people who commission it, allowing time for thought, care and craftsmanship.
Fabrics and Materials
Whenever possible, I work with beautiful vintage, heirloom and surplus textiles, giving existing cloth a new purpose.
When I introduce new fabrics, I favour natural fibres such as Irish linen and British wool, often using end-of-roll or remnant pieces that might otherwise be discarded.
Burial shrouds for natural burial are always made entirely from biodegradable materials.
I avoid plastics, synthetic fibres and unnecessary chemical finishes wherever possible, allowing the textiles to return gently to the earth.
Cyanotype and Botanical Printing
The surfaces of my shrouds often carry the marks of plants, photographs, poems or handwritten words.
I use cyanotype and botanical printing because they create images slowly, directly onto cloth, using sunlight, leaves and low-impact processes.
These techniques become part of the storytelling as much as the decoration, allowing memories and meaningful symbols to be woven into the fabric itself.
Working with Local Makers
Sacred Wings shrouds are designed to be used with willow stretchers made by skilled British makers.
Choosing locally grown willow supports traditional craft skills, small independent businesses and shorter supply chains, while creating something beautiful in its own right.
What Sustainability Means to Me
For me, sustainability is ultimately about relationship.
It is about valuing craftsmanship over mass production, repairing rather than replacing, working with what already exists, and creating rituals that reconnect us with the natural world.
Perhaps that is why I became an artist rather than a manufacturer.
Sacred Wings offers an alternative to the industrial funeral industry — one that is slower, more personal and deeply rooted in care.