What is a Death Doula?

 A death doula is non-medical, emotional support person at the end of life. My services include Vigil Planning and Legacy work, as well as Grief and Reprocessing with family and friends after the death of their loved one. I work with the dying person to help them realize the options and resources they have for end of life care. This includes finding palliative care options and hospice in their area, exploring and finding the threads of meaning in their life, and, if desired, helping the dying person to create a legacy project to leave with their loved ones. My strengths in this area are visual arts (painting, drawing, printmaking) and writing. I am available in person in northern Virginia and virtually internationally. I am trained through INELDA as an end of life doula. Please read below for services and pricing.

Vigil Planning

A vigil is a time during which a person is actively dying. Just as someone might create a birth plan for active labor, a Vigil Plan works in much the same way to help guide the dying person, their loved ones, and caregivers during the active dying process. This can last for a few hours up to several days. We speak about such things as what kind of environment the person wants at the end of life, if they prefer to die at home, who they would like in the room, how they want the light, if there are music selections they would like, and if they desire a Last Breaths Ritual. We craft a plan together based on these dialogues. I also talk to the loved ones of the dying person about the signs and symptoms of the active dying process to help them as they are present to the transition of their loved one; this is a journey every human will take, and it is a gift to be able to make this time as special as possible.

Legacy Project

Legacy projects are specific to the person who is creating them. They could take the form of a memoir, letters to friends, artwork, a garden; there are many possibilities but the most important part of a Legacy Project is that it is meaningful to the person who is creating it. I work with the client to discover what they desire for their own Legacy Project. We will have conversations around meaning, values, important people and/or animals in the dying person’s life, special events, milestones, and more. A Legacy Project is a beautiful opportunity to take stock of one’s life. By the way, anyone can do a Legacy Project! We practice for the end of life by honoring the closing of chapters in our lives as we move through them. I am also available to work with people who are closing a season of their life and transitioning into their next adventure.

Grief Work

I work with family members and loved ones after their beloved has died. This can look like processing memories from the Vigil, remembering how much care was taken with the loved one who died, conversations around what went well and how to reframe what felt negative or difficult during the dying process of their loved one. I am not a therapist, and this is not therapy. These are conversations in which I help guide the loved ones to their own conclusions and reframing of events. I provide resources to licensed therapists when needed. After one or two Re-Processing sessions, my contract with the family or loved ones ends. We conclude with a ritual to honor all the care given to the loved one who died, and the love of the caregivers for their person.

Financials and Pricing

Everyone deserves a good death. To help offset expenses for folks who may not be able to pay for non medical end of life care, please look at the tiers below and determine which one best reflects your resources. I do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family status, or political beliefs. Love is love is love.

Tier 1

  • I have difficulty meeting my basic needs

  • I have little or no savings

  • I struggle to pay credit card debt

  • I have little or no expendable income

  • I qualify for food stamps or other government assistance, including healthcare

  • I am supporting other family members who also have little to no income

  • I have no assets

  • I have unstable housing

  • I have minimal or no access to transportation (car, bus, train, public transportation, Uber)

  • I have little/no access to community + support

    $25-75/ hour

Tier 2

  • I can meet my basic needs

  • I have some savings

  • I have little or no debt

  • I have some expendable income

  • I do not qualify for food stamps or other government assistance

  • I can afford to take some trips or vacations

  • I have some assets

  • I have stable housing

  • I have access to transportation (car, bus, train, public transportation, Uber)

  • I have access to community + support

    $75-125/ hour

Tier 3

  • I can easily meet my basic needs and can afford to give money to charitable organizations

  • I have investments, assets, and savings

  • Cash flow is not a problem for me

  • I can afford not to work if needed

  • I can easily afford to take vacations or trips

  • I am not worried needing emergency funds

  • I can easily pay for healthcare, including care not usually included in insurance (massage, cranio sacral therapy, spa treatments, etc.)

  • I have stable housing

  • I have easy access to transportation

  • I have easy access to community + support

    $125-175/ hr

Legacy Project Pricing $500 and up

Legacy project pricing will be determined on an individual basis and will take into account size, medium used (printmaking, painting, drawing, collage, work on paper, work on canvas, work on board, wall mural, community project, framing options). I require each client to have a payment plan to ensure completion of the project.