Telling Stories: A Writing Workshop

What does it mean to tell our stories while we are still here and to be truly witnessed by another?

In this reflective workshop led by death doula and author Darnell Lamont Walker (Never Can Say Goodbye: The Life of a Death Doula and the Art of a Peaceful End), participants are invited to slow down and explore the power of storytelling as an act of presence, remembrance, and care.

Set within the quiet, natural landscape of Panorama Natural Burial, this gathering will focus on three interconnected practices: telling our own stories, learning how to bear witness to the stories of others, and beginning to write in ways that feel honest, accessible, and alive.

Together, we will explore:

• Why our stories matter. Especially the unfinished, imperfect, and tender ones

• What it means to witness another person without trying to fix, rush, or reshape their truth

• How storytelling can be a spiritual practice, a form of legacy work, and a way to soften our relationship with mortality

• Gentle, guided prompts to help participants begin writing their own stories, regardless of experience

This workshop is not about polished writing or performance. It is about presence. About listening. About naming what we carry and offering it a place to land.

We will intentionally create a safe, compassionate space for sharing. Participants will never be pressured to read aloud, respond, or disclose more than they wish. Confidentiality, care, and mutual respect will be held as shared agreements throughout our time together.

Please bring a pen and paper or a journal you feel comfortable writing in. All writing will happen by hand, as a way to slow the body, quiet the mind, and stay connected to the moment.

No prior writing experience is required, only a willingness to show up, reflect, and be in conversation with yourself and others. 

This program is open to anyone curious about legacy, memory, grief, meaning, or the quiet courage it takes to tell the truth of our lives.

This event is part of an ongoing series of Death Fest programs, co-hosted by Woven Roots Collective and Hospice of the Piedmont.

And if you'd like to continue the fun, join Darnell at 7pm at New Dominion Bookshop on the Downtown Mall for a reading and book talk of his new book Never Can Say Goodbye.

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Please note this event will take place in the barn at Panorama Natural Burial. Please dress for the weather!