Joél Simone Maldonado

Joél Simone Maldonado, affectionately known as The Grave Woman, brings over a decade of groundbreaking expertise and innovation to the fields of end-of-life, death and grief care. As a sacred grief care practitioner, licensed funeral director and embalmer, award-winning educator and speaker, Joél is dedicated to empowering professionals, organizations and governmental agencies to create and implement culturally sensitive protocols and inclusive practices that honor diverse cultures and traditions.

She is the founder of The Multicultural Death & Grief Care Academy where she offers expert insights into cultural competency and dignified end of life, death and grief care for communities of color, empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of serving diverse families, staff and communities with authenticity and respect.

Joél is also the host of The Death & Grief Talk Podcast and The Grave Woman YouTube Channel, which provide a safe space to explore the complex emotions surrounding loss and grief. Highlighting compassionate experts, each episode offers insightful conversations, expert advice, and real-life stories to help individuals navigate the often-overwhelming journey of grief. Her signature slogan is that "culture is the medicine for grief."