The Coffin Route ritual is designed by The Sisters of Sonder as a new living, breathing ritual. It is a communal pilgrimage of remembrance that invites us to share the load, witness our own and each other’s grief together, and honour our local history.

Here is how the ritual unfolds over the weekend:

Over the festival weekend, with craftsmaker Abi Griffin of Woven Farewells, together we will weave a willow coffin on-site.

We will place notes and natural offerings, such as flowers and greenery into the coffin.

On Sunday, the coffin is closed and carried (or pallbeared) between those who wish to undertake the pilgrimage along the 2.5-mile historic Coffin Route to St Oswald’s Church in Grasmere.

This is a deliberate, physical journey where between us we will carry the coffin, sharing the load. We might talk and share stories, or choose to walk in silence as we acknowledge both personal and shared loss.

At St Oswald’s a beautiful musical performance by John Haycock (of his album What Remains) will take place in the church.

After church we will catch the bus back to site.

Back at site we will ceremonially bury the coffin together and the ritual is closed. All are welcome to lay earth should they wish to.