Greetings!
My name is Heidi, and I am an INELDA- trained end-of-life doula. I hope that you will educate yourself on how this might assist you and your family. End-of-life work invites us to bear witness to a life--honoring the stories, holding the truths of the person, and ensuring that compassion echoes within and beyond the breath of life. If you are facing grief, fear, death, or uncertainty, then you have found yourself in the right place. I would be honored to assist you and your family as you journey along this season of transition.
What is an
end-of-life
doula?
An end-of-life doula offers many services but in a nutshell: a compassionate companion for individuals and families who are navigating the sacred transition at the end of life. The doula provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support during this significant season of life. The doula recognizes that dying is not just a medical event but a human and spiritual passage.
An end-of-life doula offers many services to the dying person, caregivers, and families:
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non-medical support
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legacy work (recording stories, writing letters, memory projects, & personal expression)
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planning personal preferences for environmental care(music, lighting, visitors, comfort)
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blueprint planning for the family and caregivers
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sitting bedside
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"holding space" and listening to the preferences of the dying person
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listening for the circle of care
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processing grief
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plan for meaningful goodbyes at the wishes of the dying person
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a calm presence in uncertain moments
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advanced care planning conversations
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funerals, memorial services, and eulogies
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obituary writing
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organizing important information for family and circle of care
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after-care with family
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prayer or meditation or reflection
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honoring of cultural or spiritual practices
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coordinate meaningful visits
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facilitates discussions and education/speaking events
What does an
end-of-life doula
NOT do?
An end-of-life doula does not
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provide medical or nursing care
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offer her opinion about what YOU should do
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mediate the family dynamics
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diagnose illness or give medical advice
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administer medications
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provide medical treatments or clinical care
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act as the primary care provider
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provide legal advice or draft wills or estate planning
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do not speak for the dying person unless requested
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override decisions of the dying person
Audio exhibit representing 25 interviews with 80 and 90-year-old Appalachians telling their stories
One of my specialties is interviewing people about their life and creating a legacy story or photo project. The process works like this: I spend time asking questions and listening to the stories that want to be shared. I record the voice or voices and then re-listen in a quiet space. I translate the story and often use quotes within the work, so it carries the flavor of your loved one. Stories can be shared in a folder, in a scrapbook, in a video or audio project. I've even written a family's immigration story in book form.
Family immigration story. Available on Amazon.com (Walking in our Schoenen)
"The older generations treasure our family history and are proud of what we have endured and how we have succeeded. We hope these stories will inspire the younger generations to be close, love one another, and be generous to people around them."
--Rudy, sibling of storyteller of Walking in our Schoenen