Today Sara is joined by Lupe Diaz, an end-of-life care specialist and death doula based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Lupe moved to the Midwest in 2022 to gain a new perspective on how different communities face death, grief, and healing. Lupe brings a deeply intentional approach to death care—shaped by her experiences in close-knit Indigenous communities, and a belief that living true to our values helps reduce suffering for ourselves and for others.

In our conversation, we talk about what it means to build community with people from different cultural backgrounds, how living in alignment with your values sometimes means going against the grain, and why Lupe believes that accepting death can help us live more intentionally. Lupe's insights on life, death, and community offer a powerful reminder that the way we live is deeply connected to the way we face the end and that authenticity is the key to building true community.

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About Lupe Diaz

Born in Mexico City, Lupe (She/Her) has a strong cultural connection to death and dying. Receiving her education from Going With Grace, studying under the renowned death doula, Alua Arthur, Lupe aspires to help not only with the dying process, but also with grieving and the deep psychological aftermath of loss and death.

In February of 2019, Doula Damn Thing was founded. An organization committed to serving the BBIPOC, LGBTQ+, lower income, and other marginalized communities with all of their end of life care needs.

About This Show

Bury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, NJ, with the help of sound guy Nick Rumaczyk, head mensch and husband Bradley Nussbaum, and operations chief Katel LeDu. Our theme music is Grief on Repeat by New Harm. You’re getting an exclusive first listen to their material–their debut EP will be coming out soon!

Drop us a line at hello@burymeinnj.com if you’d like to share feedback or ideas for an upcoming episode!

A special shoutout to Anjanette R., Sergey K., Molly E., and Kim H, Erin and Bill H, Fluffy Farms, Lauren L., Fairacres Organic Produce, Katel, Holly, Stacy G., Sam J, Anjanette R, Kerrie, and Colleen C. We’re back on the air because of Kickstarter contributions like yours, and we’re deeply grateful for your support.

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