“We are so thankful and appreciative of the time you spent with mom and all of us. You were our rock. You helped us to find our way through the sadness…to see the beauty in mom’s passage…to feel the spirituality of life and death. You are definitely doing what you were meant to do, Nina. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.” – Diana H.
Service can include any and / or all of the following options:
- Weekly or Daily Visits – This can be at home, or at a hospice, nursing home, or hospital.
- Meaning and Legacy Work – Meaning work helps you uncover and explore personal core values, where those values came from, and how they influenced you throughout your life. Legacy is the outward expression of meaning; how you lived out your values in the world. From this work, a tangible artifact can be created that will help family and friends reconnect to your life and that can inform and also be an inspiration for future generations.
- Regrets, Unfinished Business, Grief, Shame Work – These are the harder experiences of life that often are pushed away and are what we would rather not explore; bringing them to light and talking about them may heal emotional and / or spiritual pain and allow freedom and transformation.
- Vigil Planning – What makes up a “good death”? What does your space look like? What music would you like playing? Would you prefer the sound of the ocean or of birds? What scents or essential oils do you enjoy? Are there ways you would like your spirituality honored? Drapes open or closed? Who would you like to be there? How do you want to be – or not want to be – touched? Are there any rituals you would like during this time? There are more considerations than these; thinking about these things and creating the vigil you want can create a more peaceful and meaningful death.
- Celebration of Life Planning – If you want one, where would you like it? What are the personal touches that you would like to have there? Who would you like to be there?
- Death Education – Resources, Information, Referrals. This includes Health Care Directives, Palliative Care, Hospice, Spiritual or Ethical Issues, Green or Conventional Burial, Cremation, etc.
- Guided Imagery and Visualization – Helpful in reducing anxiety and fear. Brings peace, relaxation, and calm.
- Sacred Oils – Various essential oils are considered sacred to threshold work. They can help to reduce fear and anxiety, induce calm, open up heart space, attend at the threshold. I use Sacred Oils any time the dying person or those attending are wanting their benefits.
- Rituals (Last Breaths, Body Washing, Closure Rituals, etc.)
- Bereavement and Grief Work – This is the reprocessing aspect post-death for the survivors. It entails retelling the dying story from the perspectives of the loved ones as well as from the Doula perspective. It is an opportunity to share grief, discuss problems, issues, and / or concerns. It can also be an opportunity to continue legacy work and / or to share and honor special moments. It is also an opportunity to bring closure to the Doula work.
What Does an End-of-Life Doula Cost?
Our first meeting, whether by Zoom or in-person, is at no charge. Should we both agree that we are a good fit for each other and your situation, my standard fee is $70 per hour. There is always room for negotiation, and some families pay more, others less. I’m also willing to work out a flat fee to cover services based on a conversation of what you’d like and how I can be of service to you. Let’s first have the conversation, see if I’m a good fit, and proceed from there.
Will Insurance Cover the Cost of EOL Doula Services?
There’s currently no standard reimbursement from insurance companies. As such, expect that it will be an out-of-pocket expense.
Can We Meet?
Absolutely. Go to my Contact page, fill out your contact info and offer any comments, and I will get back to you quickly. I look forward to meeting with you.
Tending the Spirit 