Facing a terminal diagnosis is daunting. Supporting a loved one facing a terminal diagnosis is also daunting.

A death doula is an educated, trained and compassionate individual whose role is to hold space for those in this situation.

Each case is unique and the services provided are just as unique depending on the skillset of the Death Doula and the needs/desires of the client.

A Death Doula is not a role, a duty, or a job. It is a service relationship. While a Death Doula might be called in last minute to provide a funeral/memorial service, or even assist when death is imminent, this is not an optimal use of a death doula. It really isn’t the best time to introduce a stranger to the situation.

The most benefit one can glean from a death doula is when the doula is brought in early enough to build relationships with everyone in the unit. This includes not only the one dying, but the primary caregiver, the support caregivers, the family, and even friends.

As the Death Doula builds relationships with the unit he/she makes ongoing assessments of where their skillset will be most beneficial. While initial assessments may layout a death plan, this will always be re-evaluated and adjusted to fit whatever circumstances appear organically. It’s important that a Death Doula is able to adapt and thus help the unit adapt as well.

A death, like a birth, doesn’t always go to plan. Unlike birth, death has no markers to say it is coming. Yes, there are some indicators, in some deaths, but not all deaths include these. Sometimes, an expected death actually happens unexpectedly. Having someone already involved as the Death Doula ensures that they are not a stranger to you at this most intimate time.

A Death Doula can be the key to making the most of the time you have left.

The Village Healer

The Death Doula services offered by The Village Healer center around holistic ideology.

We are Spirit living in a human vessel. The premise is that we are Spirit who have chosen to experience human life and we return to Spirit. We are of the Earth and shall return to the Earth.

The Village Healer has no religious affiliation and gladly ministers to all faiths, including no faith. With more and more people becoming dissatisfied with their own organized religion’s ministry, The Village Healer holds space for those seeking spiritual solace without religious doctrine, while also holding space to work with religious clergy in the best interest of the client.

The Village Healer’s available services for Death Doula work include spiritual counsel, energy healing, ritual creation, legacy projects, death plan composition, amends/resentments work, trauma healing, relaxation, pain relief, and companionship, as well as funeral/memorial officiant.

Services can be engaged as early as months (or even years) before death, or when death is imminent. The very best plan is to engage a death doula early enough that the relationship can become familiar, thereby allowing the death doula to truly know the client and the unit – and vice verse.