I am an End-of-Life Guide, trained by INELDA – the International End-of-Life Doula Association.

An End-of-Life Guide (or Death Doula) is a non-medical companion who has expertise in supporting a dying person and their circle of care with respect and compassion. The care is personalized to each individual, and the Guide will always advocate for the dying person’s dignity, autonomy, and self-determination.

History of Death

You might be wondering “what’s there to know?” In the past, dying was seen more as a normal life-cycle event… dying people were more visible in the community, often dying in the homes, surrounded by family and friends. Today, a dying person is often in a hospital setting, where family and friends are less aware of the dying process which is largely hidden from view. This has resulted in the taboo-ification of death as a concept. It’s not discussed often enough, nor early enough.

Types of Support

To be clear, anyone can benefit from working with an End-of-Life Guide… no one needs to wait until they’ve received a terminal diagnosis, or until they’re advanced in age to seek out support in planning for death. As the saying goes, “Tomorrow is never guaranteed.”

Here are some ways that I can help you prepare for your eventual death:

• help you conduct a life review
• discuss choices and options at the end-of-life
• advance directives guidance
• legacy considerations
• brainstorm and carryout an end-of-life project
• consider your own mortality to lessen fear and anxiety
• plan a ritual at end-of-life or upon death
• guided imagery practice
• reprocessing a death experience
• death education on a variety of topics

Questions? Needs? Please reach out!