Sound and Memory
Death Doula
New York City Tri-State Area All 50 States (Virtually)
Legacy Work LGBTQ Allied Rituals
Offers free consultation
Verified by Autumn
Live Music Offerings -String Quartet -Strings Duo -Vocalist -Brass Ensemble -Harpist -Guitar Music Commissions Original music written to reflect your loved one's life. Clients will be provided with a professional recording of the music they commissioned. End of Life Planning Documenting artistic legacy for musicians, artists and writers archiving their life's work Advanced Directives Death Education Public workshops and concerts exploring topics surrounding grief and death
Sound & Memory, founded by violinist/composer and certified Death Doula Concetta Abbate, is a music and arts memorial organization that provides personalized memorial offerings including live music, original music compositions, recordings and educational workshops. We explore innovative ways to incorporate music into contemporary rituals for both grief and death. Our memorial arts programming spans multiple genres and we are committed to commissioning and hiring musicians and composers from a wide range of backgrounds. In addition to providing music for those who are grieving, we also offer end of life planning services. We specialize in providing end of life planning and legacy preservation support for artists. Our public events and workshops serve to destigmatize loss and enrich the conversation around end of life care and mourning. We are a fiscally sponsored project through the Groupmuse Foundation and can accept tax deductible donations.
Certifications
- Going With Grace
Education
- Respecting Choices Advanced Care Plan Facilitator, The Dying Year 2024
- NEDA Proficient Death Doula, Going With Grace 2022
- MA, Music Education, Columbia University 2016
- BA, Music and Anthropology -Smith College 2009
Lillanne A
Sound and Memory has been enormously helpful to my family in navigating End of Life planning and memorializing our beloveds. Founder, Concetta Abbate played violin and sang so beautifully and movingly at the Celebration of Life for my uncle Mike, and has helped my mother with End of Life planning for herself and my grandparents. She shows up to this work with such presence and care, it has been some of the most valuable support we've received.
Charlie R
Sound and Memory founder Concetta has an awareness, empathy and emotional intelligence that compliment her masterful skills as an inimitable musician. Her approach to programming music for funerals and memorial services is always deeply considered and eloquently delivered.
Thomas K
Sound and Memory led a dynamic workshop and music performance for my students within the Performing Arts and Social Justice Department at the University of san Francisco. My Students left feeling inspired and excited to engage in community focused music-making. I highly recommend Sound and Memory for grief education, workshops and performances!
What types of services do you provide?
LIVE MUSIC for funerals, memorial services and celebrations of life. We offer solo violin, string quartet, strings duo, solo harp, guitar, piano, brass ensemble etc. Here are some video samples of our ensembles: https://youtu.be/bT-qrUw_O9U https://youtu.be/d1TZ7PUB4wg ORIGINAL MUSIC commissions to reflect a person's life. Can be made collaboratively with a terminally ill person or created posthumously in their memory. Here are some examples of music commissions: https://youtu.be/AJLfOhsi4ks https://youtu.be/BmL7xAWo20Y BEDSIDE MUSIC for patients who are hospital or home bound DEATH DOULA SERVICES -Advanced Care Planning -Documenting legacy -Responding to Death Anxiety. We are experienced with discussing death anxiety and existential concerns surrounding the uncertainty of end of life, especially through the framework of art, philosophy and music. Learn more: https://www.soundandmemory.com/death-doula-services DEATH EDUCATION- Concerts, workshops and facilitated public forums on topics surrounding death and grief Learn More: https://www.soundandmemory.com/workshops
What should clients know about your pricing(e.g., discounts, fees, packages)?
Each service is price dependent on the specific service requested. We offer sliding scale rates and payment packages. To inquire on rates contact us at: music@soundandmemory.com
What is your typical process for working with a new client?
We schedule a 30 minute phonecall to discuss your request and learn more about what you're looking for.
What are some of the ways you have supported someone at end-of-life?
LIVE MUSIC- Sound and Memory has curated live funeral music for notable figures including Columbia University Professor Robert Mundell, artist Jenni Crain and musician Brian Keenan. Live music is integrated with the pacing of the service alongside funeral celebrants or family members. We accommodate specific song requests that are relevant to your loved one's life and can also offer suggestions for music if needed. ORIGINAL MUSIC COMMISSION- Sound and Memory Founder has written music collaboratively with residents of nursing homes for years. These songs reflect their lives and are a wonderful token or momento for surviving family. She has also paired composers with families seeking to write original music for a memorial service. The family receives a professional recording of the music. DEATH DOULA SERVICES- Sound and Memory has responded to bedside needs such as sitting vigil or providing gentle music at bedside. We also do other end of life planning services such as writing advanced directives and documenting the legacy of a person's life. Documenting the legacy of a person's life means communicating your values at the end of life to your loved ones through writing, songwriting or another artistic modality. It's the message you leave behind for others. Documenting legacy could also mean archiving or organizing a person's life work which is a part of the message of their life. Sound and Memory is also experienced with discussing death anxiety and existential concerns surrounding the uncertainty of end of life, especially through the framework of art, philosophy and music. DEATH EDUCATION- Sound and Memory has led programs and concerts at many institutions such as the University of San Francisco social justice department, NYC's Maple Grove Cemetery and Greenwood Cemetery. They have received grants for this work through New York State Council of the Arts as well as the Michael Smit Memorial Fund.
What advice would you give someone looking to hire an end-of-life doula?
End of life doulas provide physical, emotional, educational and non-medical support for individuals and their communities confronting mortality, death and grief. Find a person who reflects your values, needs and interests. Someone who is a good listener and who may respond with creative solutions or ideas you didn't initially think of. Consider the availability of your doula. Do you need in person? Could the services be provided online?
What questions should clients think through before talking to doulas?
End of life doulas provide physical, emotional, educational and non-medical support for individuals and their communities confronting mortality, death and grief. Where are there gaps in my support team? How could a doula ease those gaps? Will the doula honor my wishes devotedly, setting their own personal judgments aside?
What populations are you best suited to serve?
Musicians, Artists, LGBTQIA+, Music and Art Lovers, Neurodivergent Folks, Disability Community. Sound and Memory's founder is a member of the LGBTQIA+ as well as disability community.
Do you offer any physical modalities or specialty training?
Our workshops often involve journaling, writing and reflection exercises
Do you offer any other services beyond end-of-life doula support (e.g. advanced care planning, paralegal, legacy services, chaplaincy services)?
Advanced Care Planning Legacy Documentation (letter writing, song writing etc.) Archiving Artistic Work
Do you work as part of a collaborative or independently?
Sound and Memory works collaboratively amongst a community of musicians, end of life celebrants, grief therapists and death doulas
Are you willing to work remotely?
Yes, we have provided many of our services remotely via Zoom or phone call
LGBTQIA+, Grieving Communities, Terminally Ill, Disability Community, Neurodivergent Community, Pet Loss, Musicians and Artists
Years In Business
- 2023
Number Of Employees
- 1
Service Areas
- New York City
- Tri-State Area
- All 50 States (Virtually)
Languages
- English
Payment Method
- Check
- Paypal
- Venmo
- Payment Plan
Address
New York, NY
Travel Preferences
I travel to clients
Clients travel to me
I support clients virtually (phone/internet)
Not the right fit?
We'll personally connect you with someone trusted.
Not the right fit?
We'll personally connect you with someone trusted.
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