118: The Journey to Becoming a Death Doula with Laurie Jones

Previous Episode: 117: How Energy Plays into Grief with Valerie Moon

Next Episode: 119: Becoming Independent in the Face of Loss with Shelly Ferrari

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.

In this intimate interview on 'Rock Your Shine', Laurie Jones, a talented musician who has faced profound grief and loss, joins me for a powerful and transformative conversation.

Laurie discusses her journey into and through grief following the death of her mother, subsequent breast cancer diagnosis, and passing of her aunt. Her experiences led her toward a new calling as an end of life doula and music therapist after witnessing the impact of music and compassionate presence during these challenging moments.

Laurie speaks candidly about her struggles with grief, her battle and recovery from breast cancer, the beauty she discovered in end-of-life care, and how her passion for music plays a crucial role in her newfound purpose. As she forges ahead on her new path, Laurie discusses her mission to illuminate the nature of death and encourage others to find beauty in this very human experience.

Laurie Jones is a Maine based Singer/songwriter that had been dubbed “the missing link between Dusty Springfield and Tom Petty. She has been referred to as “Chrissie Hynde with a folk guitar” and compared to Sheryl Crow for her Americana and Folk-Rock influences. These comparisons she happily and humbly accepts. Influenced by a multitude of styles, Jones combines the craft of songwriting with her own unique sounds that range from Rock to Gospel. Whether playing her songs acoustic solo, or backed by her rock solid band, Jones delivers the lyrical sass and musical punch she has built her reputation on. Laurie Jones has recently announced her 7th, and latest album, Dark Horse.

**TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources.

Listen in as we talk about:

[0:00] Intro

[3:20] The passing of both her parents

[8:55] Her belief about the afterlife before her mother passed away

[19:35] Receiving a cancer diagnosis

[23:45] Suffering through the news of her aunt

[26:35] Coming up against her own mortality and downplaying her illness

[31:20] Supporting her aunt during hospice

[42:25] Her journey to becoming a death doula

[45:15] Combining end of life doula with music therapy

[49:10] This episode’s oracle card

[50:50] What does self love look like for you now?