Grief Karaoke

When Music Becomes Medicine: Our First Grief Karaoke Night

Not even a summer storm could dampen the spirits at Brisbane's (perhaps Australia’s) first ever Grief Karaoke event. On a wild Saturday night at Albany Creek Memorial Park, something magical happened – and I'm still feeling it days later.

A Night We'll Never Forget

The weather forecast threatened. Thunder rolled. Lightning lit up the sky. But people showed up anyway, ready to honour what they'd lost through the healing power of music.

The Vibe Was Everything

From the moment the first person stepped up to the mic, we knew this was going to be special. Some performances had us in tears. Others had us dancing. Many had us doing both at the same time.

People sang for parents, partners, children, friends, and futures that never came to be. They sang about things left unsaid and paths not taken and songs that found humour in the darkness.

The vulnerability in that room was something else. The support was even more beautiful.

It Takes a Village

Huge gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this event to light.

To Nick, our DJ – without you, we wouldn't have been able to sing our little hearts out. You kept the music flowing and the energy alive all night long.

To our sponsors – Simplicity Funerals and Albany Creek Memorial Park – thank you for believing in this concept and giving us the space to create something truly unique.

A special thank you to everyone who donated prizes for our raffles and lucky door prizes – Ange Coste Photography and Mel's Magical Cupcakes, Roses Only, your generosity added extra sparkle to the night.

And to every single person who bought a ticket, made a donation, showed up, sang their heart out, witnessed others – you made this possible.

The Impact

Together, we raised over $1,300 for Ambulance Wish Queensland. That's $1,300 towards granting final wishes for Queenslanders in palliative care. Your generosity – both emotional and financial – means everything.

What We Learned

Grief karaoke isn't just about singing. It's about:

• Creating permission to feel big feelings in public

• Finding connection

• Remembering that we're not alone in our pain

• Re-learning that joy and sorrow can (and do) exist in the same moment

• Honouring what we've lost while celebrating that we got to experience it at all

The feedback has been overwhelming. People used words like "cathartic," "needed," "brave," and "healing." Many asked when we're doing it again.

What's Next?

This is just the beginning. We're already dreaming about the next Grief Karaoke event, and we want to hear from you about what else you'd like to see – open mic nights for sharing stories and poetry? Gentle contemplative gatherings? Death cafes? Let us know.

Saturday night proved there's a hunger for spaces where we can be real about loss. Where we can gather in reprieve of our pain. Where we don't have to pretend we're "over it" or "doing fine." Where music can say what words can't. Where grief and joy can dance together under disco lights while a storm rages outside.

Thank You

To everyone who trusted us with their grief, their voice, and their presence – thank you. You showed up for yourselves, for each other, and for everyone who's ever felt like their grief was too much or too messy or too long.

You reminded us all that grief, in whatever form it takes, is just love finding new places to go. And on Saturday night, we gave it somewhere to go – straight into a microphone, out into the room, and into each other's hearts.

Until next time, keep singing. Keep grieving. Keep loving.

✶ Jo

If you're still processing and need support, these services are available:

• Griefline: 1300 845 745

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

My grief guide "Is This Normal?" is available for anyone wanting a gentle companion for their grief journey. Reach out if you'd like a copy.