My Day in the Den

The fact that my episode actually aired still blows my mind. I’m just a girl from South London who started out looking after her dad’s grave, and now the whole nation knows about Graceful Graves.

Getting ready

I got the call confirming my date in the Den on the 4th of June 2024, one day after my dad’s heavenly birthday. I couldn’t have written that if I tried. I knew he was watching over me.

From that moment, it was all systems go. I was rehearsing my pitch with my cousin, who pretended to be the Dragons just to throw me off my game, and perfecting every line until it felt natural. I even spent a day in a massive prop warehouse searching for a dummy grave to bring my story to life.

Between running Graceful Graves and my presenting work, which included interviewing Sinead Harnett about her latest album, filming backstage at Stormzy’s “This Is What I Mean Day”, and hosting my live Reprezent radio shows, keeping this secret nearly finished me. I honestly felt like Hannah Montana, living a double life as a founder and presenter.

The big day

My cousin, her baby, and I packed up the car and drove four hours to Manchester. We checked in, dropped off the props, treated ourselves to a Rosa's Thai, and ran through my pitch one last time before collapsing into bed.

The next morning, I had a hotel breakfast, got my makeup done, ironed my co-ord, and kept pretty calm. Once we got to the studios, it all became real.

The production team were so kind and welcoming. You could really feel how much care and effort goes into making this show. I waited what felt like forever for my turn, but when they finally called my name, I took a deep breath and walked in ready.

In the Den

The Dragons were much kinder than I expected. I spoke from the heart straight away about my neurodivergence, because I needed them to understand that my dyslexia and dyscalculia might show up in how I presented my numbers. They were understanding and patient, which helped me settle in and share my story with pride.

Receiving kind words from Emma Grede was surreal. I’ve admired her for years and have always respected how open she is about her own neurodivergence. I was fan-girling on the inside but trying to stay calm on the outside.

Then came the moment I didn’t plan for. Crying in the Den. After being so composed all day, it hit me out of nowhere. Grief is like that. It comes in waves you can’t control. I walked to the wall to pull myself together, and to my surprise, Peter Jones was the one to comfort me. He said, “I feel your pain because I lost my dad last year.”

That moment changed everything. His empathy made me feel less alone in that room and reminded me that even in a space full of cameras and investors, grief connects us all.

After that, I was calm and grounded. I might have had one of the kindest experiences anyone’s ever had in the Den, even without investment. Steven Bartlett told me, “You don’t even need our investment.” Sara Davies said it reminded her of cleaning her grandad’s grave with her grandma. That’s what Graceful Graves is all about. Helping people care for their loved ones and teaching them how to do it themselves with our support.

After the Den

Since the episode aired, the outpouring of love has been overwhelming. So many new customers have reached out, people have registered their interest, and others have asked how to join as Grave Guardians. Strangers have shared their own stories of loss and how much they related to mine. It’s been beautiful to read every single message.

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has messaged, commented, tagged, or told someone new about Graceful Graves. 

Whether you’ve supported us from the start or discovered us through Dragons’ Den, thank you. This business was born out of heartbreak and built on love. Every message, every share, and every kind word helps us keep going.

There is so much more to come. We are expanding our community, growing our offering, and bringing on more Grave Guardians across the UK.

Graceful Graves is more than a business. It is a movement. We are here to bring warmth, care, and conversation back into death care. We are modern, human, and helping people turn grief into grace.

Walking out of the Den, I remember thinking, even if this never airs, I’ve already won. Thankfully, it did. And this is just the beginning.

Thank you for supporting us and for helping make grief more graceful.

With love,

Jay - Founder of Graceful Graves 🤍