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This episode shares the powerful story of Diane Cordell, a woman whose entire life has been shaped by the presence of death, and her commitment to helping others understand and cope with it. From growing up in a family where death was never a taboo topic to serving in the Air Force and later becoming a trailblazing detective sergeant in the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Diane’s journey is deeply connected to grief, trauma, and healing.

Diane was introduced to death early in life, her grandfather and father were both morticians, so conversations about loss were natural in her home. After serving in the Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force, she entered law enforcement, where she worked for 27 years. Her time in homicide shaped her deeply, as she handled some of the most painful aspects of death, including sudden loss, suicides, and the task of notifying families. She was one of the first women in her office and helped build systems of support and crisis management, all while staying grounded in compassion and fairness.

Her stories reflect the reality of how death affects families, how closure brings healing, and how important it is to talk about death honestly. Diane’s reflections are not only a tribute to her career but also a reminder of the emotional labor behind this kind of work. Diane’s wisdom is a gift. Her story encourages listeners to embrace the truth that death is a part of life and that healing often begins with a conversation.

To learn more about death doula work, grief, or end-of-life planning, visit Jill McClennen’s website or listen to more episodes of Seeing Death Clearly.

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Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.

I appreciate the support and it helps get the word out to more people that could benefit from hearing the podcast.

Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life.

You can connect with me on my website, as well as all major social media platforms.

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Matt Jacobson shares the story of how losing his father changed the course of his life and inspired a deeper connection to legacy, grief, and purpose. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on fatherhood, the impact of grief, and how honoring a loved one can lead to unexpected healing and direction.

Matt grew up in Temecula, California, and was studying finance at San Diego State when he received the devastating call that his father had died. He left his plans behind and returned home to take over the family’s mattress store, an unexpected path that placed him squarely in his father’s shoes. As he ran the business, memories of his dad flooded back, especially their early morning conversations and the life lessons tucked into everyday moments. His dad had been a single father raising three boys, encouraging learning through reading and sparking Matt’s entrepreneurial spirit in creative ways, like hiding pizza money in exchange for reading assignments.

Grief gave Matt a new lens on life. He began thinking more about legacy and how quickly someone’s story can fade unless it’s captured. His father's quiet wisdom, deep respect for education, and stoic leadership had shaped Matt's values. Though his father rarely raised his voice, his words held lasting power. Matt recalls their last hike together before studying abroad, unaware that it would be one of their final moments together. His father had hidden the return of his cancer—a selfless act so Matt wouldn’t worry. Just weeks later, Matt got the call: his father was gone.

This conversation touches on grief, healing, the transition of roles after death, and how we honor those we’ve lost. It’s significant for anyone interested in death doula work, end-of-life planning, or creating legacy projects for loved ones.

Learn more about Life Books at https://lifebooks.io/

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Support the show

Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription, any amount large or small help to keep the podcast advertisement free. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support

Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.

I appreciate the support and it helps get the word out to more people that could benefit from hearing the podcast.

Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life.

You can connect with me on my website, as well as all major social media platforms.

Website www.endoflifeclarity.com
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Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle
LinkedIn
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In this episode, Jill talks with her real-life friend Morgan Everitt, a death doula based in Bucks County, PA. Morgan shares how her journey began after her mom got sick in 2015. She came home to care for her, and after her mom passed in 2016, she had a powerful moment in 2017 when she overheard someone mention the word "death doula." It felt like a lightning bolt—she knew that was her calling. She started training in 2018 and has been slowly building her private practice, Heron’s Flight, over the past few years.

We talk about the important role death doulas play in end-of-life care. Morgan deeply respects hospice and palliative care and believes doulas help fill in the gaps, not compete with them. There can be tension between providers, especially in a field where most workers are women, but she emphasizes the power of collaboration. Everyone has the same goal: helping people and families have a better end-of-life experience.

Morgan shares how rewarding it is to work with clients over time, building relationships and planning ahead. That long-term support makes a big difference when the time comes. She also explains that being a death doula isn’t always easy. It can take time to make a living doing this work, and it involves much more than just sitting with people—there’s also paperwork, networking, and ongoing education.

We talk about the business side of this work—figuring out how to charge for our time. Both of us offer hourly rates or packages with payment plans to keep services accessible. We also discuss the struggle of getting people to value this kind of care. Many expect it to be free, especially when some offer it as volunteer work, which can make things harder for doulas trying to earn a living. Morgan reminds us that this work is valuable, and just like anyone else, we have bills to pay and families to support.

https://www.heronsflightdoula.com/

https://www.instagram.com/heronsflightdeathdoula/

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https://www.tiktok.com/@lamortcollective

Support the show

Support the show financially by doing a paid monthly subscription, any amount large or small help to keep the podcast advertisement free. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092749/support

Subscribe to Seeing Death Clearly and leave a 5-star review if you are enjoying the podcast.

I appreciate the support and it helps get the word out to more people that could benefit from hearing the podcast.

Don’t forget to check out my free workbook Living a Better Life.

You can connect with me on my website, as well as all major social media platforms.

Website www.endoflifeclarity.com
Instagram
Facebook
Facebook group End of Life Clarity Circle
LinkedIn
TikTok