Guided Transition.
For those at the End of Life- Holding Space for Love, Peace, and Meaning
“Death is absolutely safe. It is like taking off a tight shoe.”
-Ram Dass
What’s a death doula?
The role of a doula in this capacity is to ensure a compassionate and dignified experience for both the person who is facing end of life as well as their loved ones.
What do you do?
Emotional Support
Offering a compassionate presence, active listening, and emotional support to the dying person and their loved ones.
Planning and Preparation
Assisting with advance care planning, such as living wills, health care proxies, and end-of-life wishes. They help ensure that the person's desires regarding their death are understood and respected.
Education
Providing resources and information about the dying process, what to expect physically and emotionally, and how to care for someone who is dying. This can help demystify the process and reduce fear.
Advocacy
Helping to communicate the wishes of the dying person to family members and healthcare providers, ensuring their needs and desires are met.
Legacy Work
Assisting in creating legacy projects, such as writing letters, recording memories, creating art, or other activities that help the person leave behind a meaningful legacy.
Practical Support
Helping with day-to-day tasks, organizing the home environment for comfort, coordinating with hospice care, and providing respite for family caregivers.
Rituals and Ceremonies
Facilitating or guiding end-of-life rituals and ceremonies that hold personal or cultural significance for the dying person and their family.
Bereavement Support
Offering support to the family after the death, helping them process their grief, and assisting with funeral planning if needed.
Packages
Tender Vigil
This package is designed for those precious, final moments when the presence of a compassionate and steady hand is most needed. This package offers 20 hours of dedicated support, arranged flexibly in 4- to 6-hour increments to meet the unique needs of the individual and their loved ones. As the end of life draws near, every moment becomes profoundly significant, and this package ensures that those moments are honored with care, dignity, and tenderness.
-Vigil Sitting During Final Hours
When time seems to slow, and the final hours approach, having someone by your side can make all the difference. Vigil sitting provides a quiet, calming presence, offering comfort and reassurance during this deeply sacred time. Whether through holding a hand, offering a kind word, or simply being there in silence, the doula’s presence helps to ease the passage, making sure no one feels alone in their last moments.
-Soothing Rituals and Presence - optional
The end of life is not just an ending; it is a profound transition. Soothing rituals, such as gentle touch, playing favorite music, or lighting candles, help to create an atmosphere of peace and serenity. These rituals are carefully chosen to reflect the individual’s wishes and to bring a sense of calm to both the person passing and their loved ones. The doula’s presence during these moments offers a sense of stability and calm, helping everyone involved to find comfort in the ritual.
-Support and Guidance for Loved Ones
As the end approaches, loved ones often find themselves grappling with complex emotions and uncertainties. The doula provides support and guidance, helping family members navigate their feelings, offering advice on how to best comfort their loved one, and being a steady, empathetic presence when they need it most. This support extends beyond the individual, ensuring that those left behind feel cared for and understood during this intense time.
Overnight Option:
For those moments when the night feels longest, the doula can remain present through the night, offering continuous support. This option ensures that someone is always there, providing comfort and care when it’s most needed, even in the quiet hours.
The Tender Vigil package is more than just a service; it’s a commitment to being present during life’s most significant transition. It honors the depth and importance of the end-of-life experience, ensuring that every moment is treated with the reverence it deserves.
One-time packages
Gentle Journey | A comprehensive service that includes emotional support, legacy projects, and assistance with final wishes.
Memory Lane | Focused on preserving memories through life review sessions, scrapbook creation, and personalized storytelling.
Heartfelt Farewell | Includes planning and facilitating personalized ceremonies, writing farewell letters, and creating meaningful rituals.
Peaceful Passage | Provides guidance on managing end-of-life transitions, including advanced care planning, relaxation techniques, and creating a serene environment.
Sunset Serenity | Offers mindfulness practices, guided meditations, and support in making the most of the present time.
Timeless Treasures | Helps clients create lasting legacies, such as recording video messages, creating memory boxes, and designing keepsakes for loved ones.