End of Life Doula Services

An End of Life Doula (shortened, EOLD, also Death Doula) is a non-medical support person and guide for matters surrounding end of life and death.  Just as a birth doula supports new parents and their loved ones through pregnancy and birth, EOLDs are present for those planning for or nearing their own end of life–as well as for their families and loved ones.  

As an End of Life Doula I am trained and experienced in offering education, support, and guidance in Advance Directive and estate planning (living wills, Health Care Proxy selection, last wills, vigil planning, choices for after death care, etc.), creating legacy projects to document memories and important pieces of clients’ lives for their families and future generations (letters, videos, memory books, etc.), ensuring caregivers and family are well-resourced and practicing self-care to minimize caregiver burnout, facilitating difficult conversations regarding health care decisions and other sensitive personal matters in the final days/weeks/months, sitting bedside vigil with those nearing end of life, assisting families through funeral and memorial planning (including choices relating to home deaths, home wakes, and home funerals), and so much more.

I have also received specific training to support through end of life journeys in the areas of pediatric and youth palliative care as well as supporting families and loved ones after a death by suicide.

Doulas are not a replacement for hospice care, and often one of the first things they encourage transitioning families to do is to engage hospice services as soon as possible so they have as much care and support as available through the end of life journey. 

EOLDs are privately engaged by clients and families and are not covered through medical insurance plans.  I understand the end of life journey can be costly, so in an effort to make my services accessible to as many people as possible I offer ala carte services, blocks of service hours, and by the hour options*.   

I strongly advocate for personal autonomy in relation to matters of terminal illness and death.  I have training in how to legally ensure my clients’ wishes are followed as directly as possible through the use of hospice care including transferring Advance Directives into POLST/MOLST directives, assisting in setting up legal safeguards to allow clients the option of VSED (Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking) and supporting clients and their families  through the process when a client chooses to engage VSED, supporting clients and families through MAID (Medical Aid in Dying) where available (though it is not currently an option in my primary states of service: KY and OH), and more. I have also spent extensive hours training in trauma-informed response and care and bring that awareness to all work I do.

I also strongly advocate for social justice and equity in all matters, but here specifically in relation to healthcare and deathcare access, advocacy, and autonomy.  I recognize the systemic inequalities built into the fabric of our society, and as an End of Life Doula I aim to share knowledge and experience in this particular system in an effort to give clients and their loved ones more positive and equitable outcomes in the realm of death and dying regardless of race, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, disability, or income.

*If you are unsure of your financial ability to engage with any of my listed services, please don’t hesitate to reach out and I am happy to work with you on finding a way to assist within your budgetary limits.*