Sustainable coffin maker recognised for eco excellence with three prestigious awards
In the past two months, a Devon-based sustainable willow coffin maker has won three prestigious national awards.
Sophia Campbell-Shaw is the founder of Woven Farewells, based in Luppitt in Devon. Woven Farewells offers beautifully unique, hand-crafted willow coffins. Her business model is also a champion for the growing movement towards family-centric funerals. Sophia runs innovative workshops, allowing people to help create their own coffins. Often loved ones including grandchildren get involved in the process. This hands-on experience is reported to have a real impact on reducing anxiety when the coffin is seen at the person’s funeral.
Sophia began working with willow as part of her own bereavement therapy after the death of her mother, selling woven baskets as a sideline. Experiencing further loss, when her sister was killed in action in Syria. Sophia said: “The transience of life prompted me to reset my life plan and start my own business.”
At a Gala Awards evening held in Syon Park in London, Sophia received a Gold Award for Best Product at the Best Businesswomen Awards 2024. She also scooped the Silver Award for Best Green Business. Only the month before, she had won Best Coffin Supplier at The Good Funeral Awards, held at the Eden Project and one of the biggest funeral award ceremonies in Europe.
Judges at the Best Businesswomen Awards applauded Sophia as a ‘fine craftswoman who is a heart-led businesswomen.’
Debbie Gilbert, the organiser of The Best Businesswomen Awards, said, ‘The selection process is rigorous and to be one of our winners is a major achievement. The judges make their selections based on business expertise, innovation, and high levels of customer care. Our winners are shining examples of outstanding entrepreneurs who have proved their success to our judges and have shown they have the results worthy of being recognised and rewarded.”
The funeral industry is still largely dominated by men with very few female coffin makers or funeral directors. Sophia is proud to have an all-women team, having expanded to offer her willow coffin services in the East Midlands through her equally passionate employee Abi Griffin.
Sophia said: “This sector is slow to change but there is a real movement towards sustainability. To be recognised not once but three times for our product and green credentials means so much.”
Never one to rest on her laurels, Sophia is now working towards offering sustainable rental coffins. She said: “The funeral industry is a huge polluter. The estimated carbon emissions for one funeral in this country can amount to 400kg of CO 2 - that’s equivalent to charging more than 48,000 smartphones. The idea of renting a coffin may alarm some people but I am refining a product that will combine dignity with eco-credentials.”
To find out more visit Woven Farewell Coffins | Sustainable Willow Coffins | England
