Weaving Life and Death: The Art of Eco-Friendly Coffins

What if the way we say goodbye could heal both our hearts and the planet?In this profound episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, we sit down with Zimmi Forest, fibre artist, environmentalist, and creator of handwoven eco-coffins that challenge everything we think we know about death. Zimmi doesn’t just make baskets; she crafts vessels that reconnect us to nature, turning invasive weeds into beautiful, biodegradable farewells.From foraging materials in the wild to guiding families through the emotional process of weaving a loved one’s final resting place, Zimmi’s work is a powerful reminder that death doesn’t have to be disconnected from life’s natural cycles. Whether you’re curious about sustainable funerals or simply seeking a fresh perspective on mortality, this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink the way we honour those we’ve lost—and how we might one day be honoured ourselves.Key points from our discussion:Eco-conscious farewells: Why Zimmi swaps toxic funeral materials for invasive plants like cat’s claw vine.The healing power of making: How weaving a coffin can transform grief into a sacred, communal act.Beyond cremation: The surprisingly poetic case for natural burials (and what most people don’t know about ashes).Death’s dirty secret: The greenwashing in funeral industries—and how to spot it.Finding beauty in decay: Zimmi’s journey from artist to death educator, one handwoven stitch at a time.Connect with ZimmiInstagramWebsiteRemember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.Take care,CatherineWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)Death is hard, make death admin easy with the Critical Info Platform. It’s a simple, secure system that helps you prepare and share your legacy, wishes and personal paperwork.It’s packed with prompts, guides and even a To Do List to help you easily gather critical information for a complete end-of-life plan.Leave behind a legacy, not a mess.Sign up now to your free trial at critical info.com.auNo credit card needed. Every Tuesday at 7pm, I host Critical Chat Tuesdays — free, online conversations where you can ask questions or just listen.No pressure. No expectation.Because this isn’t about planning for “someday” — it’s about being ready for whatever life throws your way.Join anytime at criticalinfo.com.au/events MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.SUPPORT SERVICESIf you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.Support the showSupport the 'Don’t Be Caught Dead' podcast with a one-off or regular donation to help Critical Info, a certified social enterprise, keep creating free, high-impact conversations about death, grief and planning—every contribution fuels our mission to reduce the burden on families and build a more death-literate, compassionate community. Donate here now.Learn more: https://criticalinfo.com.au/Connect with Don't Be Caught Dead podcast host Catherine Ashton & Critical info on socials:https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_info?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c1879300-84db-4c70-9270-18d17d3ec22aMusic composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/