Individualized End of Life Support
A supportive presence for individuals aware that are nearing the end of their physical life, dedicated to helping them and their families navigate the many spaces that unfold with intention and love.
“To heal is to touch with love, that which we previously touched with fear.”
- Stephen Levine
Support for the Dying
As a certified death doula my role is to welcome each individual as they near the end of life, with love. I am a wholistic caregiver whom seeks to support my clients emotional, mental, physical, relational, and spiritual selves. I am an advocate for the individual and families wishes, and do not make decisions for anyone. I do however educate families on options, that many families are unaware of. I believe in actively listening to the body, so that together we can make decisions that do not prolong suffering. I also offer individuals and families important opportunities to honor the sacredness of the persons life who is dying, in ways that are appropriate not forced. End of life can be a messy, painful, vulnerable, and confusing time, but it can also be a life changing and sacred experience if we enter in with presence.
Family Support
With the exception of administering medications, I support families with a myriad of needs. I support families by providing respite care so families can have a much needed break. I support by helping organize medications, changing diapers of loved ones, emptying urine bags, scheduling reminders for those administering meds, giving bed baths, talking with loved ones of the family to keep them updated on the patients status, helping plan for the celebration of life, and much more. I am also there to support the emotional and mental needs of the families as they see fit. Creating safe spaces for loved ones to process and be met with compassion is an important part of the death doulas role. I am not only there to help the patient who is dying, but to support the families who are carrying both the emotional and physical weight of what it takes to care for a loved one at the end of life.
Guided Conversations for Families
As a family member, or friend is nearing the end of their physical life, we often don’t have access to some of the tools we would like. Grief can overwhelm our senses, and we can get stuck in shock, in a reactionary state, in depression, in anger, in confusion, and so much more. At times it can be helpful to have someone outside of the family facilitate conversations that navigate how to support the individual dying, how to support one another, and name some of the things that can be sensitive to name in the face of death. It is not uncommon for families to have conflict over money, unsaid expectations, and when emotions are high family systems can face a lot of stress. These facilitated conversations give everyone a chance to be heard, and create space for families to not only create boundaries, but share their love for one another.
Honoring the Dead
Death can be something we rush through, or that we are rushed through by others. Holding Vigil a way to slowing down, taking a deep breath, understanding our options, and stepping into the moment with presence. After a body is no longer breathing we often jump into calling the mortuary to come take the body away. This is not wrong, and sometimes it is what families want and need, but it is not the only option. Holding vigil is an age old ritual that allows families to take their time saying their goodbyes, and honoring their loved ones body. This process can be a few hours, or even days long, depending on the families needs and desires. As a death doula it is my role to educate families on their options and offer different rituals and honoring ceremonies that are appropriate to each families belief systems. This process does not only allow us to show our respect for those who have died, but it gives us the space to breath and be present with ourselves in the process as well.