Ake Ake Shrouds

24/08/2025

A reminder that these free events are happening in Mangawhai and Wellsford from 1 to 7 December for Dying Matters Week. Engaging in these important conversations now helps us to prepare more, fear less, reduce stress for the family and even save on funeral expenses.
Please support this initiative and register your place on any or all of these events at https://gowithgrace.nz/dyingm.../northland-events/mangawhai/
Note the Mending Hearts workshop has as a cost of $20. All other sessions are free to attend.
The Mangawhai Cemetery visit includes the lawn cemetery and the new natural burial ground.

21/08/2025

Check this out e te whānau. The differences in cost for natural burial varies widely across the country.

We've compiled the 2025 list of prices for burial in New Zealand's natural cemeteries. The average price is $4,075. Although Councils have increased prices considerably in recent years due to rising costs and inflation, we still think it's good value, given the beautiful locations. See what it costs in your region, at https://www.naturalburials.co.nz/natural-cemetery-price-list-august-2025/

21/08/2025

I'll be facilitating this kōrero with support from Hospice and Citizens Advice. All welcome.

🍂Nau mai haere mai koutou to the Wellsford Death Cafe.

We invite you to join in a community led kōrero about anything and everything to do with death and dying. We have no agenda but to bring this usually taboo topic into a safe space. Te Whare Pukapuka ō Wakapirau, Wellsford Library, are our wonderful hosts for the morning.

Te Ha Oranga is supported by Citizens Advice Bureau and Warkworth Wellsford Hospice so bring your patai, share your whakaaro and enjoy the kai and coffee provided.

19/08/2025

"We are sincerely grateful to you and thank you for the peace that this beautiful option of your linen shroud has given our family. You have truly blessed us".

Also, I acknowledge that actually, it's me who is blessed with the privilege of making a difference. Each commissioned shroud is different, but every single one is special.

19/08/2025

Is shrouding something you've been thinking about for your own funeral, or maybe someone in your whānau. Join me for either of these free presentations on shrouding as part of Death Matters week 2025. There will be plenty of time for a hands on opportunity to practice wrapping and being wrapped if you feel comfortable doing so. Or just observe.

Dying Matters week has been thoughtfully organised by Go With Grace

Spaces must be booked in advanced.
🌿 Reserve your place at this link; www.gowithgrace.nz/dyingmatters

17/08/2025

Repose or recycle? Or maybe neither?

11/08/2025

You are invited to join me in this stitching circle, coming together in a community space to sit and process grief while creating textile remembrance hearts for everyday or personal loss.

Workshop, 1st September from 10am to 3pm. $20pp includes fabrics and embellishments.

Register by email to Karen hello@akeakeshrouds.co.nz

This workshop is part of Dying Matters week 2025 in collaboration with and .

09/08/2025

Taking a moment to enjoy a peaceful sunny morning in the garden.

Somedays feel like hardwork.
People around the world under assualt.
Human rights being eroded.
Planet suffering from the egos of the greedy.
Narcissists turning into facisists.
Every day there's something else we bear witness to that tears us up inside.
But it also brings us together, makes us stronger. Lights a fire in our bellies.

Take good care of your soul. Breathe.
Take no sh*t.
Love will win.

08/08/2025

Pruning season in Aotearoa, and not a single deadhead flower escapes me when they print this good. I keep them all.

I think this hoarding obsession comes from growing up with grandparents, aunts and uncles who went through rationing and drilled it into us kids not to waste a thing.

08/08/2025

Last night I heard a noise outside. My husband said "it's only your shroud blowing in the wind".
"Will it keep us awake?"
“No", he said. "We'll pretend we're sleeping under the stars on a pirate ship, listening to the wind in her sails".

And I like that idea of being wrapped up and carried away on a celestial breeze to foreverland. ⚓🏴‍☠️🦜