Reclaiming the Ritual of Shroud Making - Cloth and Memory Workshop

For thousands of years, simple cloth shrouds have been used to wrap our loved ones with care, dignity and love. As more people seek personal and gentle farewells, this quiet tradition is making a gentle comeback.

In this hands-on workshop, led by shroud maker Dagmara Rudkin and Wendy Pye of Luna Arts, Dagmara will reflect on the role of textiles in memory-making, exploring how they can help us anticipate grief while honouring and celebrating a life. She will also introduce the practical elements of shrouding as an alternative to traditional coffins, alongside a live demonstration.

Through conversation and the creation of your own simple mini shroud, we’ll explore and connect with textiles and their capacity to hold memory and meaning. The act of making and simple sewing in a safe space creates room for reflection on life and death, helping to ease conversations that can often be difficult to have. This workshop also gently broadens awareness of the many ways an end of life ritual can be shaped and experienced.

All materials provided. No sewing experience needed whatsoever.

As this session takes place over a full day, there will be plenty of breaks for tea and coffee. Please bring your own lunch, or you are welcome to use the library café.

This session is for adults only.

Spaces are limited so please pre-book your FREE space in advance.

This event is part of the Afterlives Festival

Events in London take place in Redbridge Central & Wanstead Libraries from 4-7 June.

Funded by Arts Council England.