Planning for the end of life is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and your loved ones; it is truly an act of love! When we give ourselves this gift, we can live life fully!
End-of-Life Doulas are non-medical care givers who are in service to others, like a concierge, for death and dying.
We also spend a good deal of time educating our communities on how better they can prepare themselves and their families for the end of life, whether tomorrow, next week or twenty years from now. Doulas help initiate conversations about death and dying. It is a given that we are all going to die one day, and if we are prepared, we can fully live our lives in the here and now! With regards to clients at the end of life, doulas step in where hospice and funeral homes may need help with end-of-life care and support.
“I will meet you on the path wherever you are in your journey. I will walk with you, listen to you, support and guide you and offer resources to insure that you feel completely comfortable on this journey. I create a safe and sacred space for each client, as I feel honored that you have chosen me as your travelling companion on this part of your journey.”
I offer a 30 minute free consultation- I call this a “Map Reading Consultation,” since we are considering going on a journey together! In this time, we learn about each other, your individual situation, your needs, what you would like to accomplish in our time together. If you decide you would like to, we will plan for a future conversation.
My Services:
Education-Individual and Community
- Individual one on one planning and educational conversations about advanced planning and preparing
- Conversations with family/loved ones
- Workshops on Life Decluttering (also known as Swedish Death Cleaning or döstädning) In Sweden, it means to remove unnecessary things from your home, to be nice and orderly.
- Workshops for Groups: Living Fully and Dying Prepared, a 6 week workshop to help you reflect back, plan ahead and find peace on your journey. (Working with Francesca Lynn Arnoldy’s workbook)
“Whether you are interested in exploring mortality, providing care to others facing the end of life, or you’re seeking more meaning and purpose in the here and now, this interactive workbook offers practical skills and profound insight to help you move beyond fear and nurture inner strength.”
Francesca.
Listening & Supporting The Client-Individual Planning
- Answer questions, ease anxieties
- Advocate for the client
- Assist client and family for what they envision to be a good death.
- Get to know you and your situation and needs
- Talk about final wishes for healing, dying
- Final wishes for visits, people, things, to do
- Companion care
- Caregiver relief and support
- Planning obituary
- Death Cleaning or Clearing (you don’t have to be dying to do this, it is quite a refreshing exercise!)
Holding Physical and Emotional Space for Client and Family
- Care coordination with practitioners for pain management
- Coordinating any alternative therapies, to promote comfort and relaxation
- Creating sacred space (the room) altars, pictures, people, scents and music
Honoring Emotions, Feelings and Relationships, as well as Beliefs and Practices
- Assisting healing of relationships that need completion
- Guiding and mediating difficult conversations
- Working with grief with client and family
- Arranging prayer, meditation and or counseling
Legacy Coaching: Honoring Your Life
- Reflecting on meaning, memories and purpose
- Legacy projects and gifts
- Explore and preserve the stories, wisdom and message that give life meaning.
“You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.” ― Dame Cicely Saunders, Founder of St. Christopher’s Hospice
Funeral, Memorial, Celebration of Life or Vigil Planning:
- Creating Sacred Space/Altars
- Bedside presence
- Facilitating gatherings of loved ones over prayer, meditation, sacred singing and music
- Arranging a Living “Celebration of Life”
- Planning rituals, ceremonies, services
- Ensure that any cultural or spiritual needs are met and honored
- Ensure that last wishes and Advanced Directives are followed through on
Guidance After:
- Grief Tending
- Coordinate support for the family
Certifications
