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Death Doula

Heart-Centered Service in Death & Bereavement

Caring for Life by Attending to Death

Attending to ~
Death within the "system" (social, economic, legal)
Death within the eco-system & natural cycles
Death within the family and community
Death within, for, and of the Self

The role of a Death Doula

I can provide you with the necessary tools, knowledge, and information to ease and clarify the passing of you or a loved one.

This may include:
꩜ Understanding general legal requirements and paperwork to be completed before and after a death
꩜ Implementing ancestral and modern communication tools to aid in family and community processing around a death
꩜ Assistance in creating a clear plan of death; considering all options for caring for the body and memorial services/celebrations; clarifying practical steps for wrapping up one's affairs
꩜ Holding space for confronting one's fears, healing relationships, and facilitating a Peaceful Death

Initial Consultation (1-4 hours):
In Person: 50 Eur/USD per hour PLUS travel expenses
Zoom Call: 40 Eur/USD per hour

If we decide we are a good fit and you would like to book more of my services, we will move forward by creating an individually-tailored written agreement of Good Faith for services selected and payment. I do not have packages or set prices because this kind of work contains infinite variation depending on the needs and circumstances of each person.
Bean Sídhe ("ban-shee"), a fairy woman or spirit from old celtic folklore which comes to herald the passing of a loved one...

Ceremonial Specialist

A special passion of mine is the creation and facilitation of ceremonies.
Making ceremony is, in my worldview, a way of generating harmony within the many levels of relationships existing in a given place or community ~ i.e. self, partnership, family, community, territory, and cosmos or Spirit.

My aim within this work and passion is ~
꩜ Building, strengthening, and sustaining community
꩜ Holding time & space for the completion of relationships/closure
꩜ Authentic relating, sharing, and communicating beyond wor(l)ds
꩜ Facilitating transformative experiences for individuals and systems
꩜ Blessing & serving

Types of Services Offered in Death & Bereavement

There are numerous ways of celebrating and honoring Life & Death, beyond what we may be accustomed to expect. The following are ceremonies and events which I can help you to plan and facilitate ~

Celebration of Life or 'Living Wake' (before death) ~ a party or gathering to celebrate the Life of a loved one who knows they will die soon, and to "send them off" in good spirits.
A time to eat together, share stories, sing and dance, and to review one's life and relationships consciously as part of the process of accepting death.
Bedside Vigil (immediately preceding death, phase of "active-dying") ~ sitting bedside with the dying person to ease, comfort, and be a witness to the dying process. This may include the use of relaxing sounds or singing, loving touch (i.e. laying of hands, Reiki, gentle massage), aromatherapy, and/or flower/herbal baths. See the article below for more insights into bedside vigils.
Sitting Vigil at a Death Bed: A Checklist - On the Way to Dying
How do we support the body, mind, and soul of a dying person? We want to know how to tell if our loved one is in pain so we can get them the right pain medications. We ask what we can do to make a loved one more comforted and comfortable. We need to know […]
On the Way to DyingPaula McCann
Traditional Wake (immediately following death) ~ an age old tradition meaning to "observe" or "stand guard", in which the body is kept at home, cared for, and watched over anywhere from a few hours to a few days (depending on local regulations and needs of the family). This gives all loved ones a chance to say goodbye and connect to each other in a more raw, intimate, and private space.
Washing & Anointing the Body (1-4 hours following death) ~ the final act of physical Love and care that will be provided to the departed one.
While I would be honored to perform such a task, my main goal is to empower the families or loved ones to do this themselves, as washing and anointing the body is a very intimate act and can support one's process of grief very deeply.
~ This Service is purely by donation only / non-profit!
Honoring Deceased Pets ~ Animals are family, too! Especially recommended for parents with children who, via such experiences, form a new relationship with and understanding of Life & Death.
Wild Grief: Letting it Be ~ Grief is sacred and must be given due form and space to be properly metabolized. Forms and conventions that are overly constrictive can have a suppressive and suffocating effect on the grieving process. When grief is allowed to be, to flow, express & release, it becomes vital nutrients that serve to feed Life. Grief is Love & Praise.
I do not believe there is any "method" for grieving or healing grief. But I am happy to accompany you or be your witness in the process if requested...I find that Nature really helps, especially the ocean.

For more information about services, packages, and prices, contact me. Please include in your email the specific services you are interested in.

Limited Private Home Care ~ I have experience in the caregiving industry and can provide limited private home care when needed, i.e. in conjunction with sitting bedside.

Tidying & Creating Material Order ~ I can help you or a loved one go through items, get rid of what is no longer needed, and create plans and agreements for objects of importance, vehicles, and pets. This is a part of the "wrapping up affairs" service.

Death Education & Outreach ~ let's make a Death Cafe! Or book me for workshops, events, community outreach, etc.

Start a conversation with me

An Important Note on Patient & Family Advocacy

A large part of the role of the modern doula is patient and family advocacy. I am here to help you understand your options and to ensure your wishes, rights, and self-sovereignty are respected, especially in my service to the chronically ill or dying.

Death and the fear of it put people in emotionally vulnerable positions, often impairing critical thinking and decision-making abilities. A sick person, for example, might be pressured by the fear and concern of overbearing family members to choose treatment options that they don't feel are right for them. Or, a grieving family is made to sign papers at the funeral home for unnecessary and highly expensive procedures labeled as "standard protocol." I am here to ensure that you understand your rights, options, and alternatives as a patient in the modern medical system, or as a consumer within the funeral industry.