End-of-Life Doula
123-456-7890
What is a death doula?
End-of-life doulas to offer guidance, education, and support for anyone at any stage of their end-of-life and for their caretakers. They facilitate end-of-life conversations among family and friends so everyone understands what to expect. A doula can inform and empower you to make your own choices for your final weeks as well as personalized funeral arrangements and legacy projects. They equip you to approach this sacred rite of passage with preparedness and peace.
How can a death doula help?
The healthcare system is not designed to care for the dying. They focus on treatment until there is nothing more to be done.
Many families are burnt out caring for their loved one, having to leave their job, adding to financial stress and providing unskilled care for their dear one. Doulas with holistic training fill this gap in the healthcare system.
Why I decided to study end-of-life care
I've seen the ways that our culture and healthcare system can leave individuals and families without support at a time when they need it most. I want to adequately equip people to discuss and cope with their final days, their death, and the celebration of their life that follows. The medical field can work wonders to cure illnesses, but doctors are generally not trained to help us die well.
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I want to educate people about their options for home funerals, which can be a powerful experience for the grieving that helps process their loss. I feel strongly that we outsource too much to the funeral industry. In removing ourselves from the process, we remove the meaning that can be found in saying goodbye with more intention.
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Also, I have served my local animal shelters as a foster home for more than 15 years, caring for for newborn kittens, puppies, and sick animals. I have watched people struggle to make decisions about at their pet's end of life without guidance beyond the medical information provided by their vet. I want to support families when they know the time to say goodbye to their animal friend is approaching.
Services
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Advanced planning for a recent diagnosis
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Advance care planning is about reflecting on your values and wishes, and letting people know what kind of health and personal care you would want in the future if you are unable to speak for yourself. Planning is essential to receiving the care you want and maintaining a sense of who you are and what you want.
Support for families after a death
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There are may options for burial, cremation, funerals, and legacies than most people know. More and more, families choose to personalize every element of their loved one's final days and the following celebration of life services and ceremonies. A doula can inform you of your options and facilitate the planning of each step.
Pet loss planning and support
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It is often hard to make decisions for our beloved pets in their senior years. Pets are family and yet we don't culturally have a tradition for how to say goodbye in meaningful ways. Together we will make decisions based on quality of life, discuss how to talk to your children about a pet's death, and create ceremonies that can both help children grieve and honor the pet.