Death Doulas: Tending Both the Dying & Living
What IS a Death Doula?
You have questions, fears, worries, requests & more that need tending at the end of life. Much of the dying process is unknown to many of us because we simply haven’t experienced it before or haven’t walked alongside a loved one who is dying. Even those familiar with death & dying, benefit from the presence of a compassionate Death Doula.
Consider this, it is common to put great effort, planning and forethought into the birth of a child (preparing the nursery, attending prenatal classes, sorting through all the options available & determining a birth plan, parties & special rites, etc.)
… and yet we do not give the same amount of consideration to the monumental life transition of dying & death.
A Death Doula will meet you where you are at, be there through whatever unfolds, and provide gentle guidance for you to discover your own answers. They are there to support your loved ones through the process too.
Services
Let the presence of a Death Doula be a part of your end-of-life plan. Sarah offers a range of services, for the dying and their loved ones, including:
(Most services are billed at $80/hr, plus travel costs. Some exceptions, like Vigil Sitting, apply.)
Non-Medical Comfort Care
Sometimes it can be challenging to think of ways to comfort our loved ones while in the midst of end-of-life preparations. This is where the bulk of Death Doula service resides. Equipped with many skills, creative options, and compassionate intuition, non-medical comfort care may include:
Companionship
Navigating fears of death
Sound therapy
Reiki
Guided meditations
Storytelling
Memory keeping
Art therapy
Spiritual practices
Reading aloud
Soothing the senses (light, smell, touch, sound, taste)
Sharing silence
And much more. Non-medical comfort care extends beyond this basic list. If there is something in particular you are curious about or desiring, don’t hesitate to ask.
Sitting Vigil
As you or your loved one begin actively dying, a Death Doula can remain present, guarding this sacred space, and carrying out any rituals or requests during these final hours & days. It also includes dedicated time with loved ones directly following the death. Vigils can look so very different for every individual (what one would like included & considered, what is possible based on their location, duration of the vigil, etc). Cost ranges from $1800-$2500.
Please contact Sarah directly to discuss this type of service: sarah@prairieempath.ca
“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it”
- Haruki Murakami
Sarah has a passion for contributing to a more death positive culture within her local community. She focuses on compassionate care at end-of-life, holding space for grief support and expression, talking with children about death and grief, and ensuring inclusive death care for LGBTQIA2S+ folks.
Death Education
More info coming soon.
Bereavement Support
More info coming soon.
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