I serve as a non-judgmental guide and companion at every point in your journey
when should you reach out to me for support?
when you are healthy
work with me to prepare for end-of-life decision-making. none of us know when we may experience accident or illness.
I will help you explore and identify your options and priorities that will inform future healthcare decisions.
I will guide you through what to consider, document your wishes in an advance directive, and facilitate conversations with your loved ones to make sure they understand your desires and their role in advocating for you.
when you or a loved one receive a diagnosis
work with me for emotional support, coordination and advocacy with medical providers, and evaluation of treatment options, potential risks and complications, and likely end-of-life outcomes specific to the diagnosis.
Together we will process the grief, fear, and other strong emotions that arise when anyone faces illness and dying.
We will make sure affairs are in order and loved ones have everything needed to provide care during the illness and dying process and after death.
when you or a loved one are nearing death
work with me to support you in carrying out your or your loved one’s wishes.
We will fill the remaining days with experiences, people, and simple pleasures that are most meaningful and integrate joy until the last breath. We will prepare a cozy, comfortable environment to be in during the dying process.
I will be a present companion at the bedside and guide loved ones as they navigate the moments after death.
Reminder: Doulas do not provide medical services. I will help you coordinate with your medical providers to make sure you have all of the information you need to make informed decisions that align with your goals and values.
my service offerings
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![Kelley's hands holding a workbook titled "When I'm Gone: A Simple & Thoughtful End of Life Planner", above a desk with other notebooks on it]()
Advance Care Planning
I am a certified Respecting Choices® Advance Care Planning Facilitator. I will help you identify what will be most important to you at end-of-life, facilitate conversations with your loved ones and medical providers about your wishes, and create an advance directive and healthcare power of attorney.
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![A cemetery on a sunny day with the sun shining through tall trees, many headstones of varying sizes and colors, on green grass]()
Death & Dying Guidance
I will guide the dying person and loved ones to better understand what to expect during the dying process. I will assist in compiling questions for medical providers, including hospice, regarding your specific diagnosis and circumstances. We will also explore options for body care and disposition after death.
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![An elderly woman with her eyes closed and hands clasped in front of her, standing in a rose garden on a sunny day.]()
Holding Space
I will hold space for the dying person and loved ones to discuss a wide range of end-of-life topics that may be challenging to navigate on your own. Example topics include communicating your needs, values, and desires at this time, addressing unresolved issues in your relationships, and sharing final words of love and wisdom.
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![A black novel-sized book on a marble counter. The cover reads "An Evocation of Memories" and shows a photograph of a middle-aged man holding his two young daughters in their living room]()
Life Review & Legacy Projects
I will spend one-on-one time with the dying person to listen, provide emotional support, and bear witness to your life. Together we will create a tangible gift, such as a photo album, video message, written book of stories, or other creative project to share your legacy with your loved ones.
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![A lush community rose garden with many blooms, paths, trellises, and surrounding trees. It is dusk and there is a bright rainbow among many fluffy clouds]()
Guided Imagery
I will record and perform at the bedside a custom guided imagery meditation (approximately 20-30 minutes long) that is tailored to the visuals and feelings the dying person would like to experience. Guided imagery has been shown to be an effective non-medical method of pain management.
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![An elderly woman seated facing a sunny window. Her back is to the camera and you can see her reflection in the glass.]()
Autonomous Dying Plans
If you are seeking to carry out an autonomous dying process, such as Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), where legal, or Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED), due to a terminal diagnosis, I will coordinate the plan with you and your loved ones, your medical providers, and other relevant parties.
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![Close-up of hands holding on top of a bedspread. One person is in bed and the other is seated bedside.]()
Bedside Vigil & Rituals
I will assist the dying person and loved ones in creating a vigil plan and preparing rituals to be performed during the final moments and at the time of death. As with all services, rituals will be designed with respect and cultural sensitivity. I will sit vigil at the bedside.
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![A brightly lit, modern sanctuary, featuring a pipe organ, wooden curved ceiling, floor to ceiling windows with stained glass, a pulpit, and rows of wooden benches]()
Celebration of Life
I will coordinate the planning of a Celebration of Life to be held while the dying person is alive and refer you to a trusted local funeral director for memorial planning if desired. I will also assist with drafting an obituary and/or a eulogy.
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![An overhead close-up of yellow and red roses in full bloom, set in a bouquet near a sunny window]()
Grief & After-Loss Support
I will hold space for loved ones to reflect on their experience, process their grief surrounding the death, and create grief and remembrance rituals. I am not a grief counselor and will refer to a licensed practitioner if desired. I will also assist with after-death administrative tasks.
