North Carolina Death Doulas hosts comedy show about loss, grief

Death Doulas of North Carolina will present NYC comic Ben Wasserman and his solo comedy show, “Live After Death,” about loss and grief, Sunday, Sept. 24. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $18, available at www.liveafterdeathshow.com. The show will be at the Center for Conscious Living & Dying, 83 Sanctuary Road, Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778.

Wasserman is one of Paste Magazine’s "10 Comedians Who Make Grief Funny." In “Live After Death,” he blends comedy, clowning and crowd work as he leads the audience on a hilarious yet moving journey through grief — honoring and celebrating those who have been lost.

Since beginning early 2022, the show has attracted sold-out audiences at funeral homes, cemeteries and other places associated with death and dying such as Center for Conscious Living & Dying.

“We usually only honor our dead and contemplate ‘the end’ at funeral homes or cemeteries, and then we are expected to just move on,” Wasserman said. “What if instead we had dedicated spaces where we not only honor and celebrate our past loved ones, but also honor and celebrate our own lives — individually and in community together? Places where we can talk about the one thing true to us all: That we all live and die, and lose, and keep living.

“That’s what I want my show to provide for folks, and that's what the Center for Conscious Living & Dying has built. It's a perfect match."

Abigail Textor-Dobbins, culture guide for the Center and community impact coordinator for Death Doulas, said, “’Live After Death’ is an extension of what we do every day — help individuals and families accept death and celebrate loved ones out loud. Ben’s focus is on the fun that our departed-loved ones brought to our lives. He reminds the audience that joy and grief can co-exist. It's cathartic.

“Ben is an up-and-coming comedic talent whose fun show is based on not taking life so seriously.”

Wasserman created the show after the loss of seven loved ones over three years — three relatives, including his dad, and four friends. It has been featured by The New York Times, VICE, Huffington Post, The Guardian, Philadelphia Weekly, Brooklyn Magazine, The Boston Globe, Time Out NY, Chicago Reader, The Toledo Blade and Pittsburgh Union Progress, among other media, and by organizations that support grievers, such as The Dinner Party and The Order of Good Death. A 20-minute interview on Michigan Radio (NPR, BBC, APM affiliate) is at this link starting at 12:25: https://bit.ly/MiRadio-Ben.

“Expect vulnerable conversation, juggling, a seance, dancing — it’s part catharsis, part circus … total chaos,” Wasserman said. “The show has been particularly resonant with audiences in the context of a pandemic where millions have been forced to experience loss and to grieve.”

The Asheville show is the third of a 17-show national tour he named “The Last Tour.” The final performance of “Live After Death” will be the tour’s concluding Oct. 26 show in Brooklyn, New York.

About Death Doulas of North Carolina: As a network of trauma-informed death workers, DDNC is dedicated to empowering North Carolinians through community, education and compassionate, end-of-life care. More information is at www.deathdoulasofnc.com or 336.312.9182.

About Center for Conscious Living & Dying: Founded in 2020, this death services collective and Omega Home work to create a community that embodies living a meaningful life through inner exploration, growth, service and community-supported, end-of-life care. More information is at www.ccld.community or 828.329.0823.

About Ben Wasserman: Based in New York City, Wasserman has appeared in the New York Comedy Festival, NY/Philly/Burlington Fringe Festivals and Brooklyn Comedy Festival. A few years ago, he painted with his butt on MTV. More information is at www.BenWassermanComedy.com, X @benwassertweet, and Instagram @benwassergram.