End of life Doula

&

Deathcare Advocate

Plan your life so you can live fully, plan your death so you can die peacefully

What is an End of Life Doula?

An end of life doula is a compassionate knowledgeable non-medical practitioner who provides holistic support for the dying and those close to them, before, during and following death.

This support is individually tailored incorporating body, mind and spirit, so as to gently guide and empower you and your loved ones through the dying process, helping you to face your fears and embrace the bittersweet gifts of the journey.

Thus ensuring you are at peace and your transition to your final goodbye is as gentle and beautiful as possible.

My Approach

I believe in providing compassionate, holistic and respectful care. I live and work from a mindful, intuitive, honest and supportive perspective and promote environmental sustainability.

I believe people are the experts on their own life and death. Death is a normal part of the circle of life and is not to be hidden. By working in collaboration with the dying and their loved ones, the death experience can be a beautiful, enriched and sacred experience and memory.

Having a trained compassionate doula present, who is experienced in the death process can give great comfort and peace to all involved.

“We are all just walking each other home” - Ram Dass

 Possible Emotional Support

  • Dedicated time to listen, answer questions, debrief, and encourage reflection and open processing and sharing of emotions.

  • Dedicated time to simply sit and hold space for whatever is happening at that moment.

  • Offer reassurance and hope for possible emotional healing

  • Help to alleviate fear and anxiety

  • Help bring closure, complete tasks, cultivate forgiveness and gratitude and say goodbye.

  • Teach strategies such as mindfulness to assist with living in the present moment.

  • Help people find meaning and purpose in their lives, consistent with their beliefs, cultural, spiritual and personal.

  • Help people to live until they die and to live a life in line with their values and needs.

  • Bereavement support

Did you know you do not have to have a funeral?

There is no legal requirement in New Zealand to have a funeral. You have lots of different options to celebrate your loved ones life. Contact me to discuss this further.

Possible Practical Support

  • Plan and coordinate services.

  • Help to navigate the health care system and strengthen the relationships between them and yourselves.

  • Advocate on behalf of you and your loved ones, ensuring your wishes are upheld and respected

  • Help with Advanced Care Planning and organising legal and official documents.

  • Provide resource sheets for information pertaining to relevant topics such as ‘What to expect’ and ‘Keeping your loved one comfortable’

  • Help to create a legacy - capture stories, letters to loved ones, videos, art work etc.

  • Short term respite to give family and loved ones a break.

  • Provide a loving bedside vigil at end of life.

  • Assisting with after-death care and arrangements for funeral /celebrations

Aroma Care

Favourite aromas and essential oils can play an important role in improving the quality of life of the dying and their loved ones. Studies report a strong connection between odours and powerful memories The olfactory centre of the brain continues to function even when someone is unconscious.

The use of essential oils at end of life care can help with:

  • Easing panic, anxiety and low mood

  • Promoting a sense of well-being

  • Reducing pain

  • Promotes sleep

  • Calming the mind

  • Boosting immunity

  • Helping with denial, letting go and setting the spirit free

  • As well as much, much more…

People enjoy a gentle hand and foot massage using appropriate essential oils.

Aroma care is not treatment but instead an alternative way to care.

I am a trained Aroma Care practitioner. The essential oils I use are of exceptional quality and purity and are well diluted and used sparingly, as the sense of smell can be heightened at end of life. Permission is always gained first and no aroma care is provided during chemotherapy or the final few days.

My dream is for everybody to have the knowledge, and feel supported and empowered to die the way they would like to.

Using Aura-Soma

It has been known for hundreds of years that colour and light affect our moods and emotions. Aura-Soma is a tool that uses this and herbal extracts, essential oils, and crystals, to protect and nurture the energy fields around the body. It is incredible what a couple of drops can do. Ask me how I can help with this.

Have you thought about having a natural eco-friendly funeral?

If being environmentally friendly is important to you then you have many options you can consider. Contact me for more information.

“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life, and we will help you not only to die peacefully but to live until you die”

— Dame Cicely Saunders

FAQs

  • You can begin to work with an end of life doula at any time. I provide support and help before, during and after death. I can help with advanced care planning etc while you are well or I can come on board following death to provide bereavement support. It is up to you.

  • Everybody! A Doula can provide valuable information and assistance with people who are just wanting to get their end of life affairs in order, or organise an Advanced Care Plan. However Doula’s are typically engaged with upon diagnosis of a terminal illness, death (including sudden and unexpected death) and post death.

  • Advance care planning (ACP) is the process of thinking about, talking about and planning for future health care and end-of-life care. Advance care planning is really important for people and their families at all times during the health care journey.

  • I will primarily be your doula but I have a back up doula I will only use if I am unavailable. This ensures continuity of care and not having to repeat your story over and helps with relationship building, trust and rapport.

  • As long as is necessary. It is often not necessary for the Doula to be continuously involved and instead is available to re-engage when required and for as long as needed. I am driven by your and loved one’s needs and wants.

  • Initial one hour consultation is free.

    Costs are negotiated and are dependable on service provided.

  • That is absolutely fine. I am very flexible and can provide support either in person, via zoom, phone or text. This is always able to be negotiated as we progress along your journey.

Pricing

Initial consultation free

(no obligation)

As there is much variation between what a doula can provide, it is best for pricing to be discussed at the initial one-hour consultation.

I can provide as little or as much support as you would like.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information

info@embracelife.co.nz
027 552 997

6 Lakeside Terrace,

Omokoroa,

Bay of Plenty,

New Zealand 3114