Local cemetery concert series aims to help Portlanders who have lost loved ones navigate sorrow through song

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - In an unconventional setting, a unique opportunity is approaching, allowing Portlanders to embrace living and dying through community and song!

The Last Words Metro Cemetery Concert Series is ready to do just that, create a community around death support, which will take place in historic cemeteries across our state.

MORE’s Spencer Thomas teamed up with Oregon Death Doula, Hospice Chaplain, and organizer, Crystal Meneses, to learn more about what sparked the mission.

Crystal says throughout her years of death work, she has seen inequities in how we care for our dying, adding " I also see the isolation around grief, loss, and dying. I’ve noticed when I see my folks grieving, that we all grieve differently according to what has happened and our own unique personalities”.

So, Meneses took to the drawing board and came up with this music series stating, “let’s use art and music to create access to these places that we don’t usually want to visit”.

This series will present different music written by Crystal but curated through real-life experiences from those she has worked with. The 10 piece band will sing songs, have conversation sessions and provide resources for those who need them.

The free, three-day experience will go from August 27 -August 29th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at three different cemeteries in the Portland Metro area.

August 27th - Jones Pioneer Cemetery in Portland.

August 28th - Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland.

August 29th - Douglas Cemetary in Troutdale.

For more information, click here.

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