Never Can Say Goodbye

The Life of a Death Doula and the Art of a Peaceful End

By: Darnell Lamont Walker

Narrated by: Darnell Lamont Walker

Narrated and written by Darnell Lamont Walker, Never Can Say Goodbye is a compelling narrative that illuminates the role of a death doula and the often-unseen ways people show up for one another at the end of life. “Never Can Say Goodbye is deliciously woven from threads of guidance, memory, and devotion to the sacred labor of holding space at the end of life." —Alua Arthur, author of Briefly Perfectly Human

Across cultures and communities, death is frequently surrounded by silence and uncertainty. Many of us are taught to avoid conversations about loss, grief, and dying, even as we find ourselves quietly doing this work for loved ones, sitting at bedsides, holding hands, listening to final stories, and loving people through their last moments. Never Can Say Goodbye invites readers to recognize this shared human experience and to see themselves in the sacred act of holding space.

In his debut book Never Can Say Goodbye, death doula, Darnell Lamont Walker:

• Delves into the reasons behind the silence surrounding death, especially within the Black community.
• Narrates his personal experiences of holding space for individuals at the end of their lives.
• Guides and comforts those navigating grief, who silently mourn.

Walker shares personal stories from his role as a compassionate guide navigating the delicate space between life and death. These narratives unfold as intimate accounts of individuals, each seeking solace, closure, and the opportunity to share the stories that define them. This book is for anyone wanting to:

• Witness the healing that unfolds when someone is afforded the chance to articulate their life's journey.
• Find closure in their own narrative.
• Face the inevitable with a newfound sense of peace.

Never Can Say Goodbye captures the essence of these profoundly human moments while exploring the connection between the grieving and their doula, revealing the transformative power of storytelling in the face of mortality. Walker helps you process feelings and emotions from past losses and instills wisdom on how you can hold space and provide your loved ones with the closure they deserve.

…it can soft, not just scary.

I have just finished reading Never Can Say Goodbye and it gave me a perspective I did not have prior on the subject of death: there can be softness. Peace, yes, but softness? Yes. Softness accompanies acceptance. Peace holds hands with allowance for a goodbye that exclaims the deepest love. This helped me so much.

Fantastic

This book explains the life of a death doula but it actually teaches you how to live a life more fully. I’ll be getting the kindle version also. The narration was beautiful!

This book... shakes you up!

The stories Darnell shared indeed have shaken me up. It found me in a season of murk & disconnection. It's pulled me to open my journal and allow myself to be open to dream again while there's still time & health to do so.

I've also had the idea of becoming a death doula for a number of years. This book showed me how I have been one more than once for family & loved ones. Still interested to go deeper with that work.

I've laughed, cried, giggled, felt my toes stepped on, been inspired, gathered understanding, and more while listening.

Thank you for sharing this work & these beautiful stories with us. May life continue to be wonderful for you and may more precious & heart-filling stories find you.

Absolutely Beautiful!

I love how this book is as much about living as it is about dying. The necessary discussions that no one really wants to have. Darnell does a phenomenal job sharing this topic that many shy away from discussing. Thank you for sharing your purpose with us!

Get the book!

Darnell, you’re doing the work of God.
A modern day griot. You have mastered the art of storytelling. This book is unapologetically Black while also being inclusive. Death affects us all, but we don’t often see it through the lens of Black folks. Those who rush in as a caregivers in crisis. Also, processing pain silently. Cutting off grief prematurely to return to autopilot.

I’m honored to “know” you as the homie via your proud, loving connection to the Bethune-Cookman (HBCU) experience. ‘A’ shared you with me & I’ve held on for years. I have cried for strangers today! A Soldier (Maurice). Delphine. Melva. Leon. Misha 🕊️

As a self-proclaimed “empath” myself, you found words for the grief that I carried for others. Often through Massage Therapy, conversation, tears, or a hug.
My Audible account had 4 credits.
I used them all on #BlackAuthors PeriodT! 📚

Not done, yet. It’s really nice to hear your voice telling the stories exactly how you intended them to be heard. 🎧

P.S. For Abbey (Yebba), her mom, and when it was hard to show up in public.