Raised in the Lake District, where the natural beauty of the landscape is as much a part of life as music and traditional foods, Sophia and Camilla Minden grew up with a unique awareness of death. As young children, the sisters shared a bed and spent time exploring the woods behind their home. They often brought injured or dying animals home, including a rat they named Adrian, and cared for them with the knowledge they gained from stories like Wind in the Willows. When these animals passed away, the sisters honored their deaths with small ceremonies—burying them in the garden, singing, and placing stones or flowers on their graves. It was an early lesson in the balance between life and death, one that would shape their lives in unexpected ways. Camilla’s life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with late-stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma just after her 20th birthday. Though doctors gave her an 80% chance of survival, the experience prompted her to think deeply about what she would want for her own funeral. She found traditional funeral services to be “dated, impersonal and expensive,” and instead, she envisioned something more personal—spaghetti Bolognese, Michael Jackson music, and a sense of joy. As she navigated the emotional and practical challenges of facing her mortality, Camilla also spent time “bargaining with God,” vowing to live fully if she survived. Her sister Sophia, now 40, and Camilla, now 37, have carried this mindset into their adult lives. Inspired by their early experiences with death and the need to explore it in a meaningful way, the sisters have created The Sondering, a death-themed arts festival that blends celebration with reflection. Unlike traditional death-related events, which often take the form of conferences or town-based gatherings, The Sondering is an immersive festival that encourages participation and expression through music, theater, and creative workshops. From shroud-making to guided wild swimming in Rydal Water, the festival offers a space where people can experience both sorrow and joy. “It’s OK to cry and ask for a cup of tea, it’s OK to laugh and dance,” Sophia says, emphasizing the festival’s inclusive and open spirit. Held on a working farm in the Lake District, The Sondering aims to create an intimate and reflective atmosphere. The location was chosen for its natural beauty and historical significance, with events like a cappella performances in Rydal Cave and a communal procession along the old Coffin Route. The festival also includes music and art that directly engage with themes of death, such as a performance inspired by Celtic keening and a piece using disassembled instruments to explore grief. Sophia and Camilla believe that facing death together can bring people closer to life and each other. Their ultimate goal is to inspire people to live more fully and compassionately—“live like they’re going to die.” The Sondering takes place from 18–21 September in Rydal, Lake District.