top of page

End-of-Life Doula Packages

We offer customizable, individualized,  end-of-life doula packages to help you in difficult times. We can work together to create the perfect plan for you. We offer a free initial consultation where we can discuss any adjustments or additions to our services to create a personalized plan just for you. Once we agree on the details, we will develop a contract and adjust our fees based on a sliding scale to fit your budget. Even if we are far apart, we can provide services via the internet, including planning assisting with advance directives. We can also guide you through home funeral preparations. Our services are flexible and customizable to meet your specific needs.

Specific service tasks: Coordination and navigation • Advance care planning, including organ donation • Liaise with hospice, other health care workers, and other community services (e.g. home support) • Facilitate legal paperwork in conjunction with relevant professionals (e.g. advance directives, power of attorney, estate planning) • Referral to community resources (practical, emotional, spiritual) • Organize informal care networks • Keep family members informed • Coordinate family and friend visits • Develop ‘departure directions’ including vigil planning, and/or assist in funeral coordination Emotional and spiritual support • Ask questions to understand emotions • Meaning-structured life review sessions • Discuss values and desires; spiritual beliefs • Legacy work (e.g. narrative work, assisting people to write their life stories; write/record last messages) • Talk with children • • Music therapy (e.g. singing, playing instruments, listening to favorite songs) • Generalized pre death and post death bereavement support (e.g. talking, listening, and giving resources) Death literacy and information transfer • ‘Help explain diagnosis and treatment’ (e.g. help client get needed information) • ‘Normalize end of life’; provide practical information about what to expect; and explain common signs and symptoms at the end of life • Provide practical information about basic end-of-life care for family/friends • Inform family/friends about what they can do during active dying and after death (e.g. get into bed with the person, tell stories, washing the body) • Inform about funeral options, including home funeral options (e.g. keeping and transporting the body, after-death documentation) • Communicate regional legal issues related to death care • Community work and advocacy (e.g. advance care planning workshops, death cafes, public speaking) • Informal/spontaneous conversations about end-of-life planning and care with friends, family, and community members Companionship and presence • Listen (e.g. client reminiscing) • Unstructured conversation • Read together (e.g. scripture, prayer, favorite books/poetry) • Hospital appointment accompaniment (if necessary) • Hospital/hospice in-patient visiting • Vigil (being present during the active dying phase, including talking and/or singing even if unresponsive) • Create bedside rituals (e.g. lighting a candle, blessings) Basic practical and personal care • Respite for family members • Assorted housework (e.g. helping with meals, changing sheets, hanging out with kids, shopping, dog walking) • Help toilet; emergency assistance (e.g. ‘wiping bum if needed’) • Vigil care (e.g. mouth care, repositioning in bed, changing bed sheets, applying cool compress) After-death care • Assisting with body care (e.g. washing body, ceremonial or entire cleansing) with family or by instructing family • Assist in keeping the body at home after death; assistance with after-death paperwork • Funeral attendant (if requested) • Check-in with client’s family/friends after period of time (including bereavement support) journals.sagepub.com/home/pcr

1 

Advanced Medical Planning

A. Health Care Proxy (medical power of attorney)

  • A healthcare proxy is a legal document appointing someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're incapacitated. Think of it as your designated driver for healthcare.

B.  Living Will​

  • A living will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical treatment in situations where you are seriously ill and unable to communicate them yourself.

C.  Advance Medical Directive ​

  • An advance medical directive is an umbrella term encompassing two key documents for planning your future medical care: a health care proxy and living will. 

2

Memorial Planning

A. Obituary

  • An obituary is a short, professional announcement published after someone dies. It's like a public "in memoriam" message serving three main purposes.

B.  Eulogy

  • A eulogy is a special speech given at a funeral to honor the person who died. It's like a heartfelt tribute from a close friend or family member.

C.  Memorial Service Planning

  • Memorial service planning is the process of curating a respectful ceremony to celebrate the life of the deceased. It encompasses securing a location and time, establishing a theme and tone, coordinating program elements (speakers, music, tributes), and arranging remembrances (photos, guestbooks).

3

Memorial Celebrant

A memorial celebrant is an officiant who presides over memorial services, particularly those that are non-religious or interfaith. Here's a breakdown of their key role:

  • Creates Personalized Ceremonies: Unlike clergy who follow specific religious rituals, celebrants craft unique services that reflect the deceased's life, beliefs, and the wishes of the family.

  • Guides the Process: Celebrants meet with families to understand their preferences, help plan the service structure, and offer suggestions for readings, poems, or music that resonate with the deceased and loved ones.

  • Officiates the Service: They lead the ceremony, delivering opening and closing remarks, and ensuring a smooth flow for speakers and program elements.

  • Provides Support: Celebrants offer emotional support and guidance to families navigating the complexities of arrangements and the grieving process.

Think of a memorial celebrant as a facilitator and guide who personalizes the farewell service to create a meaningful commemoration of the deceased's life.

4

Post Bereavement

Death doulas primarily focus support, but they may be able to offer some limited help with administrative tasks after a loved one's passing. Here's a breakdown of the potential assistance:

  • Basic Paperwork (limited): Some doulas might help with initial tasks like:

    • Contacting close relatives to notify them of the death.

    • Gathering basic information for obituaries or death certificates (name, date of birth, etc.).

    • Locating important documents

    • Notifying agencies of passing, etc. 

  • Resource Connection: We can handle the bulk of the administrative burden, such as:

    • Funeral homes to discuss arrangements.

    • Estate lawyers for probate or will-related issues.

    • Social Security Administration or veteran's affairs offices for benefit claims.

5

Notary Public Services

Notaries play a crucial role in ensuring the validity of certain documents crucial for end-of-life care planning. Here's what they typically do:

  • Witnessing Signatures: Notaries verify the identity of the person signing important documents (like healthcare proxies, living wills) and witness their signature. This adds a layer of legal weight, deterring fraud and ensuring the signer understood the document.

  • Verifying Mental Capacity: While not a medical professional, a notary can assess if the signer appears mentally alert and competent to understand the document they're signing. This protects against someone signing under duress or undue influence.

Important Points:

  • Specific Documents: Notaries typically witness signatures on documents like healthcare proxies, living wills, and sometimes even HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) releases.

  • No Legal Advice:  It's recommended to consult with an attorney to ensure documents are properly drafted according to your state's laws.

  • Mobile Notary Services: Many notaries offer mobile services, which can be especially helpful for individuals who are homebound or in hospice care.

Overall, notaries ensure the legal validity of documents crucial for making your end-of-life wishes known and appointing trusted individuals to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.

6

Vigil and Respite Care

During the final stages of life, a death doula can provide vigil care, acting as a supportive companion for both the dying person and their loved ones. Here's the essence:

  • Physical and Emotional Presence: The doula offers continuous bedside presence, comforting the dying person and providing a calming influence.

  • Family Support: They act as a listening ear for family members, helping them navigate the emotional challenges of this time.

  • Comfort Measures: The doula might assist with simple tasks to promote comfort for the dying person, ensuring their well-being.

  • Communication Bridge: They can facilitate communication between the family, medical staff, and the dying person, ensuring everyone's needs are met.

  • Respecting Wishes: The doula prioritizes honoring the wishes of the dying and their family, creating a peaceful and personalized environment.

Think of a death doula offering vigil care as a source of comfort, support, and a gentle presence during a profound life transition.

bottom of page