What I Do & Don't Do

When someone is dying or has died, it can be hard to know where to turn, or even what kind of help to ask for.

As a Death Doula, I offer compassionate, non-medical support before, during, and after death. I am here to help you feel less alone, less overwhelmed, and more able to take the next step.

My role is to work alongside you and, when involved, alongside your existing care team.

What I Do

I offer calm and compassionate presence.
I provide a steady, nonjudgmental presence for individuals who are dying and for the people who love them. Sometimes that means talking things through. Sometimes it means sitting quietly together when there are no words.

I support caregivers and family members.
Caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting. I offer support, respite, a listening ear, and a place for caregivers and family members to exhale without having to be the strong one for everyone else.

I help families navigate the “What do I do now?” moments.
I can help you slow down, organize your thoughts, identify questions to ask, and consider next steps when everything feels confusing or overwhelming.

I support communication and meaningful conversations.
I can help create space for conversations about needs, wishes, fears, memories, unresolved feelings, and what matters most. I can also support family communication when emotions are high and it feels difficult to know what to say.

I provide vigil companionship.
I can sit vigil with a person who is dying, offering quiet companionship and comfort while providing loved ones with an opportunity to rest, step away, or simply know that someone caring is present.

I offer practical, non-medical support.
I can help you prepare questions for healthcare providers, make a list of next steps, organize information, locate appropriate community resources, and navigate the practical tasks that can feel impossible in the middle of grief.

I honor your beliefs and values.
Every person and family approaches death differently. I respect your personal beliefs, culture, traditions, faith, spirituality, agnosticism, or atheism. I will never impose my own beliefs or practices on you.

What I Don’t Do

I do not provide medical care or medical advice.
I do not diagnose conditions, administer medication, make clinical decisions, or replace doctors, nurses, hospice staff, or other medical professionals. Questions about symptoms, medications, prognosis, and medical care should always be directed to your healthcare or hospice team.

I am not a therapist or crisis counselor.
I offer compassionate peer support, but I do not provide psychotherapy, mental-health treatment, or crisis intervention. If you need clinical mental-health support, I can help you locate an appropriate licensed professional or emergency resource.

I do not provide legal or financial advice.

I cannot provide legal guidance, interpret a will or trust, advise on probate, prepare legal documents, or make financial decisions. I can, however, help you prepare questions, get organized, and find appropriate legal or financial professionals.

I am not a replacement for hands on caregiving or nursing care.
I am not a nurse, home health aide, or primary caregiver. While I can offer companionship and certain non-medical comfort measures, I do not provide personal care, medication management, lifting, bathing, toileting, or nursing services.

I do not impose a religious or spiritual belief system.
This work is about supporting you and the person you love. I will honor your beliefs, practices, and preferences without judgment or dogma.

A Complement to Your Care Team

A Death Doula is one part of a larger circle of support. I work respectfully alongside family members, friends, hospice teams, medical providers, chaplains, therapists, attorneys, funeral professionals, and other community resources.

My role is not to take over. It is to offer steady, compassionate companionship so that you do not have to carry this time alone.