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Caulfield South Community House
450 Kooyong Road, Caulfield South Victoria 3162

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'A MOVEMENT FROM MIND TO HANDS TO HEART IS THE ESSENCE OF THIS WORK' - Maria Lazovic

Q. Who are the facilitators of the Workshop?

A. Zimmi Forest (Fibre Artist) & Maria Lazovic (Death Doula & Psychotherapist) 

Zimmi Forest is a fibre artist based in the Byron Shire who has a passion for sustainability and the environment.  Zimmi creates works with nature, about nature and in nature. Her knowledge and passion is for foraging, making and teaching all things fibre based.

Zimmi's skills are based in basketry, carpentry, floristry, ceramics and welding.  Her work has been in many nationally recognised exhibitions. With over 40 years of teaching under her belt, her skills are well developed, broad, relaxed and comprehensive able to reach each students individual way of learning. Please visit her website & instagram Weaving Nature Weaving Nature Instagram dVine Creations Coffins

Maria Lazovic is a Death Doula and Psychotherapist at Soul Matrix Psychotherapy, working holistically with those dying and their loved ones in Melbourne since 2016.  Maria runs the popular Living Funeral Ceremony workshop and has a particular interest in home death care support and caring for the carers.

Q. Who is the workshop for? 

A. Death curious folk & those wishing to learn the practical skill of coffin weaving in community.

We welcome death doulas, artists, weavers, end-of-life consultants and guides, death-walkers, birth doulas, funeral celebrants, aged care workers, funeral directors, nurses, pastoral carers, doctors, social workers, mental health professionals, allied-health professionals, educators, business folk, adventurers, those facing illness and death, those who have faced death in the past, those who have had a loved one die either recently or a time ago, those who are fearful of death and those that simply wish to prepare for their own death.

The idea behind gathering to weave a coffin and practicing death rituals is for you to gain some acceptance and understanding about your own relationship with death today, with the support of a community.  Are you afraid of dying? Do you wonder how a loved one or patient who is dying might be feeling?

This work is offered in the form of a 2 day experiential process with a focus on turning your attention towards your own mortality.  It is a transformative, immersive experience intended to encourage deep reflection and introspection about mortality and life priorities.

Q. Why weave a coffin? 

A. Whilst we will be weaving the most regenerative coffin possible, we will also be having a group and individual experiential understanding of what it might feel like to prepare for death. How can we do this? 

This process is based on the understanding that it is only intelligent and sensible that before we die we should bring some awareness to our concerns regarding death, or what they might be at the time of death, and to face them now in a supported environment. This creates space and an opportunity for growth at the End-of-Life. Often at the End-of-Life we may not have the energy, resources or capacity of mind to contemplate death peacefully and therefore may risk being propelled into an existential crisis of sorts.

The most common motivation to attend to Death-Work seems to be to overcome a fear of death and be a valuable support to loved ones. Others are motivated by curiousity. Whatever your motivation, when one person participates in Death-Work and shares the story of their experience with others - it has a ripple effect in the world around us. It makes it easier for others to talk about death and hopefully they can then be more open and present to death when it enters their lives and the lives of loved ones.

Q. Is the coffin we will be weaving eco-friendly?

Zimmi Forest's regenerative coffin weaving practice is based in regional NSW and sources local Cats Claw vine. By physically, removing this introduced species from trees, we are helping to save and regenerate precious native forest ecosystems. This avoids the need to fumigate imported materials and products that have traveled many miles to reach Australia. The slow and labor-intensive process is 100% human powered and saves Australian ecosystems. We are using our resources rather than those of other countries. Zimmi has a deep reverence for nature and her coffins offer the most enviromentally regenerative solution for families to honor their loved ones with dignity and respect while also leaving a lighter footprint on the planet.  The coffin at the workshop will be woven from Cat's Claw foraged from the bush in regional NSW.  

Q. What are our beliefs about death that don’t serve us? 

A. It is enlightening to look openly at death and what it means to die – while we are still alive. In our culture we often don’t want to look at death or talk about it. There are two common dominant negative beliefs at play that underpin this cultural norm that does not serve us.

Firstly, a belief that if you talk about death you might invite death into your experience, and therefore it's dangerous. As it's been often said - talking about death won’t make you dead, any more than talking about sex won’t make you pregnant!

Secondly, a belief that giving attention to dying is anti-life. Life and death, living and dying are really one process, one continuum – we use words to label different parts of this one continuous experience. You may think : ‘I’m too busy living to look at dying’. However, in the same way we prepare and plan for the ‘birthing’ and ‘living’ parts of our lives, we should also prepare and plan for the ‘deathing’ part of our lives. Older cultures world-wide have understood that naming and bringing death into light and into a sacred space with others, has a balancing effect on our perspectives and all the inevitable ups and downs of a human life. Investing some time in one part of life doesn’t take energy away from another part, but has the effect of amplifying our appreciation for the wonder of it all.

Q. Do you wish to support others who are dying or their loved ones?

A. Hands on Death-Work is a profound preparation if you wish to support others.  Have you supported someone who has died and feel you now need support around this experience and any issues around death that came forward strongly for you?

By engaging in this process of attending to the matter of death via creating a beautiful woven coffin, you will be voluntarily moving into the experience of death preparation. In this workshop you will come face to face with the reality that you are mortal and will one day cease to exist here in this same way.

During the workshop you will also participate in a death meditation.  This may evoke certain emotions and states of being that allow you to relate to people who are dying, or have died, in a more present and visceral way, rather than only cognitively – i.e. thinking about what they are or were going through. It’s impossible to truly know the experience of death, however people often say they feel more at peace after visualising their own death, as well as feeling closer to the person/people in their life who have died.

This process is offered to those who would like to prepare to support someone who is dying, or has already offered such support. Part of that preparation is to enquire into your own issues around death, with the intention of beginning to clear and resolve these so that they do not come forward via projection or transference when offering support to the dying and their loved ones.

If you believe that living more mindfully and consciously will result in having a much deeper sense of meaning and ultimately more joy in your life, then the same principle can apply to dying. Many of us will not function well on auto-pilot in unchartered territories. It is possible to consciously prepare for death so that we can let go gracefully, peacefully and even with gratitude.

Q. Can you talk about Death and the Sub-Conscious Mind? 

A. As living, healthy people it is difficult to conceive of our own death and really feel that we are mortal and our life will end. This is because the sub-conscious mind has little reference for death. As humans, we are designed and created to live and we don’t often think of death happening to us. Gathering to do Death-Work is powerful in that it speaks to the sub-conscious mind and from there the process acts as a bridge to bring into our conscious awareness the reality of death.

After attending to death-work some people choose to carry on a personal practice of meditating on death. The act of building a coffin and participated in death meditations, grounds the felt sense of death in your body and therefore it can be more easily accessed during meditation.

Q. Can you talk about how the Symbolism of a Coffin can serve the living?

A. Coffin weaving acts as a symbolic ritual – which allows that part of you which no longer serves you to be contained. It is put to rest, so that a new you can be born into the world and live out the rest of your life.

If you have suffered from an illness, chronic pain or a challenging relationship and recovered, however still feel that you are hanging on or mourning the old person you were, this process will give you an opportunity to prepare the symbolic veseel to lay to rest the old version of yourself.

Q. What is at the heart of this workshop?

A. This workshop will allow you to accept into your heart - yourself (as you are) and others (as they are).

Attending to Death-Work can be an intensely moving experience, in the same way death itself can be an intensely moving journey. The internal process of the workshop will evolve for each individual in just the way that is right for them. It can be emotionally challenging and therefore it may not be for everyone. Please feel free to call and discuss any questions or concerns you may have if you are contemplating this offering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to bring?   Yoga Mat & Cushion, Lunch & Water Bottle. Optional - apron & gardening gloves.

Can I buy lunch at the venue?  Yes, there is a popular local cafe within walking distance of the venue - The Kooyong General Cafe.

How long is the workshop?   Two (2) days over Saturday and Sunday (10AM to 5PM).

Where is the workshop?  450 Kooyong Road, Caulfield South, Melbourne 3162 Victoria Australia

Is there accommodation near the venue?  Yes, there is AirBnB accommodation near the venue.Will I receive a certificate of attendance & professional development recognition? Yes - 14 CPD hours.How many coffins will we make? We will make one or two coffins depending on the number of participants.

Can I purchase the coffin?  Yes, the completed coffin/s will be for sale to the participants of the workshop.  Please contact the organisers ASAP before the event if you wish to purchase the coffin so that it can be made per your specifications.  First in, best dressed!

Who is coffin weaving for?  Coffin weaving is an Art-Form, as well as a form of End-of-Life Education and Death-Work for anyone interested in death,dying, grief and bereavement.  It is suitable for novices and those experienced in weaving. It is for anyone who is willing to learn the art of weaving a coffin and is prepared to experience an exercise in confronting their own mortality. All are welcome.

Do I have to be at the end of my life to experience weaving a coffin? No. This workshop benefits any person willing to participate in learning the art of coffin weaving.

Can I participate if I am still grieving a death? We would recommend that some time pass after the death of a loved one before considering the experience of a coffin weaving. How much time exactly will be for you to discern. Please know that this can be an intense experience which can bring to the surface uncomfortable or unintegrated emotions or memories. Please call to discuss your situation if you are uncertain and feel you require more support around this decision.

Is this private, or will others be around? The coffin weaving workshop is a group workshop open to the public.  However, the option of booking a private coffin weaving workshop for your community or family is available upon enquiry.

Will I cry?   Sometimes people cry during the meditation and sharing portions of the workshop. You may cry, and other may cry too. However, support and tissues will be right by your side.

What should I wear?   Comfortable and airy clothes are strongly suggested. It is important that your body feels free and unencumbered. As you will be working with natural materials, please consider wearing an apron. Well fitted gardening gloves are optional. As individuals differ in their response to temperature, it is advisable to wear layers to ensure that you are comfortable. Please refrain from wearing perfumes or any other strong odours. This may bother or distract your fellow participants. During meditations, for your comfort shoes should be easily removable.

Also, some people choose to bring a shawl or a blanket that they find comforting and wish to wear or be covered with when they are rest during a meditation process.

What is the refund & cancellation policy?  Please notify us immediately if you are unable to attend the workshop.

1.Cancellations before 1st March 2025 - admin fee of $50.

2.Cancellations between 1st March 2025 & 9th April 2025 - 70% refund.
 
3.Cancellations between 10th April 2025 & 30th April 2025 - 50% refund. 
If the organiser can reallocate your cancelled ticket to a wait listed person, a 70% refund will apply.

4.No refunds available from 1st May 2025, however tickets are transferrable to an adult (18 years & over) if you are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

Will the workshop go ahead if minumum booking numbers are not reached? No, the workshop will be cancelled and monies will be refunded if the minimum number of participants is not reached.  

For more information, please contact Maria at marialazovic@proton.me or 0411 221750