Hi, I’m Jess. I became a death doula after decades in the field of education as an English teacher and administrator. I became a death doula after decades of experiencing people die. I became a death doula after being born two months early and expected to die myself. I became a death doula decades after hearing the term and thinking, “wow, that’s a job?! I’d love to do that someday.” I do not take for granted that someday is now and that this is sacred work.

As a teacher my work required attuning to others to facilitate ever-improving outcomes. My job was to ensure that among endless possibilities and pathways that the best possible results were guaranteed; doula work feels similar. I used to talk a lot about “a life of one’s own design.” I have shifted to think a lot about “a death of one’s own design.” Now I am a student of those I serve to better understand how to support you to experience death in alignment with your wishes. I am here to provide unconditional support and non-judgemental presence as you say goodbye to this life. I am here to help you to walk toward only what an ending can answer.

Looking forward,
Jess