When I first found out Shawntel Newton was writing a book, I was beyond excited. I had become a fan of Shawntel on The Bachelor Season 15 (2011), an extremely popular reality dating show with millions of viewers every week. What captivated me about Shawntel was her profession: funeral director and embalmer. I have never met anyone who worked in the funeral industry, thus to see such a sweet woman with such a unique and necessary profession as a contestant, really piqued my interest, and struck something in me.
I was completely blown away by the episode of Shawntel’s hometown date. She brought the bachelor to her hometown in Chico, California, and gave him a tour of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home. I came to learn so much about who she is and what she does. Only someone with such depth and compassion could work around death everyday, and still be able to give so much of themselves to those who were grieving. I have the greatest admiration and respect for all she does and everyone who has devoted themselves to this difficult industry.
There was a line Shawntel said on the show, which made me cry. She understood people’s uneasiness and fear of death or being around it. And thus, she spoke some of the most beautiful words I have ever heard: There is so much love in here. Like with all the husbands and wives and kids…
I never saw it that way before. It was truly eye-opening and such a precious, beautiful way of looking at death. Little did I know, I would be faced with the death of two loved ones in a few short months. And Shawntel and what she did for a living, though thousands of miles away, would mean more to me than I could have ever foreseen.
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When my copy of Final Rose finally arrived in the mail, I could not wait to start reading. From what I had seen so far on national television, I already loved Shawntel’s wholesomeness, integrity, and most importantly, amazing compassion. She is also a counsellor, which made me admire her all the more as I know how emotionally taxing counselling is, and how strong one has to be for others. Shawntel had, in truth, become a role model to me.
The stories that Shawntel shares in her autobiography and the incredible emotion behind them, are all so personal, unexpected, and strikingly real. Death is frightening for most of us, but her words create a gentle bridge across this great chasm of life and death. I felt a part of me collapse and melt away as she painted death in a light that we, as a society, could never see for ourselves. Indeed, there is much to be feared and avoided when it comes to the dreaded unknown, but the truth is, we will die some day, and along the way, we will lose people we love. Understanding and acceptance that death happens to all, will only help in the healing.
The title Final Rose, is such a poignant one, and those who have watched The Bachelor will understand its significance. I thought it was an extremely clever pun and reflection of her life, but profoundly sad as well. I was left in tears reading about Shawntel’s experiences. Where she cried, so did I. She speaks of her encounters with various families, the celebration of life, and the tragedy of an unexpected death. What hit me hard was the chapter on infant deaths. I volunteered at the Crisis Pregnancy Centre in my area for a couple of years, and so my affinity with babies who die before their time runs deep. I felt the pain and darkness set in all over again. Sometimes in life, there are things you will never understand and never be able to explain. This is what tragedy means. This is what sadness is.
Shawntel’s words on death illuminate life and create a greater appreciation of its beauty. She chooses her words wisely, and they are sincere. What makes her book so engaging and charming too, is her writing style. Her wit, humour, and interjections spice up her anecdotes. It is as if you are reading about her life in real time, her thoughts straightforward and uncensored. Significantly, she writes as if she were talking to you. Readers could not ask for a more intimate and personalized reading experience.
Shawntel’s memoir is a beautiful balance for she does not simply dwell on the business of death — she also intersperses personal, fun stories about her family and friends, love life, school years, fame and reality show experiences. The transitions from one chapter to the next are smooth despite the disparate topics, and every page holds an unforeseen encounter. Every once in awhile, I come across a book that makes me ponder, long after I have put it down. To me, those are the most worthy books for they make you wonder, question, and think about life. I love having my mind challenged, and most vitally, inspired. Final Rose is a book that not only does that, it opens your mind and creates an awareness essential to all of us.
I have read the book twice now, and because of what I have been through in my own experiences with death in the past year, I think about and empathize even more with what Shawntel does everyday. The necessity of having someone as kind and caring as her, bring you through this incomprehensible grief of losing a loved one unexpectedly, and take tender care of the body of the one you love by preparing it for an honourable burial, is paramount. It is more than one could express or hope for, one of life’s greatest wishes as you bid the one you love farewell. For now, for eternity, whatever your beliefs are, you need someone who will hold your hand through this.
Shawntel Newton has an unparalleled depth essential to this ephemeral world. Her wisdom will light up the corners of your mind, and her words and faith, will touch your heart. Final Rose could change your life, it could change your mind. I know it did mine.
Do check out my exclusive interview with Shawntel Newton here.
