End of Life Transition
“We must practice the art of dying so that when our death is upon us we will not be afraid but recognize it as the most loving thing there is — and fall into it completely.”
Rev. Olivia Bareham, Death Midwife, Home Funeral Guide, Celebrant, Conscious Dying Educator, Sacred Crossings
What does it mean to be a Death Doula?
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A death doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support to people who are dying, their loved ones, and the professionals who care for them. They are also known as end-of-life doulas, death midwives, or transition companions.
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In my role, I also like the term travel companion as we journey down the road to the experience of transitioning out of the body.
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The role of a death doula is to help people make the most of their remaining time, to prepare for death in a way that is meaningful to them, and to ease the transition for their loved ones. I provide information and support on a variety of topics, such as:
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End-of-life care options
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Pain management
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Grief and loss
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Spiritual care
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Funeral planning
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Coping with the practical challenges of death
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Death doulas can also offer emotional support, such as listening to concerns, providing comfort, and helping people to say goodbye. They can also be a source of strength and guidance for loved ones who are grieving.
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With a strong sense of compassion and empathy it is a delicate navigation through difficult emotions and situations. Additionally, it is important to be flexible and adaptable, as the needs of each person will vary sometimes on a day to day basis.
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Being a death doula is one of the most meaningful and heart centered things I do. Having an End of Life travel companion can make a real difference in the lives of people who are dying and for their loved ones as well.
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Very often it is greatly helpful for the transitioning to include a plant medicine ceremony both for the person at end of life as well as for family members. It can bring great peace through the process and help with anxiety, alleviate suffering, and help the transitioner to make the most of the time left in the physical form.
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If you are interested in learning more, please schedule a discovery call to see if this is something that could help you or your loved ones in a very challenging time.