What is a Death Doula?

An End-of-Life Doula guides a person who is transitioning to death and their loved ones through the dying process. It is often a community-based role, designed to help families and friends understand death as a natural and important part of life. A Doula listens to the concerns, fears, hopes, and life stories of a dying person and their loved ones to bring them peace. We accompany our clients through the end-of-life journey, providing practical and emotional support, resources, education, and friendship so that this period is one of calm and closure.

What is the difference between Doula work and Hospice care?
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Hospice care is provided to those in the later stages of an incurable illness or nearing the end of life. Their curative and active treatments are discontinued, leaving only treatment for symptoms and negative effects. For hospice care, a care team organizes care and communication and the life expectancy for a patient is six months or less.
End of Life care is provided in the last stage of any critical illness. End of Life care is given alongside any active curative medical treatment as well as providing the patient with supportive treatment in the forms of easing physical symptoms, emotional support, and spiritual support. End of Life care can be provided by anyone and life expectancy is not a factor.

What documents can you help with?

We can help you create many Advanced Directives, including but not limited to:

• Power of Attorney
• Medical Power of Attorney
• Simple Wills
• DNR Orders

What is an Advanced Directive?
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An Advanced Directive is a legal document that tells your doctor your wishes about your healthcare if you are unable to do so. The document explains what medical treatments should be accepted or denied, especially at the end of life. It is best used in conjunction with a healthcare proxy, which appoints a healthcare agent who is willing and able to apply your values, religious beliefs, and preferences to a wide range of situations.

What is a Power of Attorney and why do I need it?
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A Power of Attorney gives the authority to another person in specified or all legal or financial matters. It grants broad powers to an agent to make decisions, handle your financial affairs and manage assets. 

What is a Medical Power of Attorney and why do I need it?
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A Medical Power of Attorney is a legal document that appoints someone as your representative and gives that person the power to act on your behalf to make decisions about your medical care. Your healthcare agent should be someone who truly knows what kind of care you want, is comfortable making decisions, and is able to communicate with medical professionals.

What is a Will and why do I need one?
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A Will is a legal document that states who will inherit your assets and belongings after you pass away. Having a simple will gives peace of mind knowing that your wishes are carried out. A simple will includes beneficiaries, appoints executor and backup, and guardians for children (if applicable). If you die without a will, the probate court will determine how to distribute your assets. Most of the time, your surviving family members will split the estate. 

What is a DNR Order and why would I need one?
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A DNR Order, now known as a DNAR Order (or a Do Not Attempt Resuscitate Order) is a medical order written by a doctor instructing health care providers to not do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient stops breathing or their heart stops. A form can be completed to make sure you die peacefully when the time comes.

What other services do you offer?
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• Vigil Sittings
• Funeral Options/ After Death Guidance
• Memorial Planning / Rememberance Events / Living Funeral
• Post-Passage Bereavement
• Planning for Remaining Days

• Legacy Planning / Life Review
• Companionship and Respite
• Digital Legacy
• Medical Advocacy
• Resources and Referrals

What is a Legacy Project?
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A Legacy Project is a way to ensure a patient is remembered by their loved ones beyond their transition into death. Legacy Projects can take many forms such as letters to loved ones, videos, audio recordings, a published memoir, a scrapbook, or a photo album.