Deathcare

The nature of deathwork means that sometimes I begin working with people when they receive a terminal diagnosis and have some time to prepare. Other times people do not know the support they want until it is needed immediately. Either way, new information comes quickly; expected supports are not available; the experience of time and priorities shift quickly. I reserve slots in my schedule for these reasons. In particular, it is not unheard of for the time between request for vigil services and death to be within the same week. It is a privilege to join you at any point you welcome me. If I am unavailable I will do my best to refer you to another trusted doula. I am used to a variety of circumstances. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

MONTHLY CARE

For those with long-term terminal illness (at any age) interested in routine support prior to and/or including vigil hours if needed.

  • Includes a combination of:

    • 30-60 min initial consultation online or by phone

    • 2-4 hour initial planning and support session

      8-12 hours monthly (in-person and/or virtual as needed) of:

    • compassionate companionship processing grief and death

    • support for life review and legacy projects

    • administrative support with advanced care directives and other related paperwork

    • vigil planning (and/or vigil sitting)

    • personalized rituals

    • establishing and supporting care routines

    • tasks (mileage may apply) related to end-of-life preparations

    • grief support for loved ones through the month after death

    • text, phone, email, and resource referral support

  • Suggested cost: $1200/monthly.

    Pay as you are led.

    Everyone’s expenses and incomes and privileges vary. Please assess at what cost you feel you can afford and value monthly doula care. Anything over the suggested amount will be designated to the Community Care Fund. To access this fund, please complete application.

  • Q: Why would I need ongoing support from a doula?

    A: Because you want or need and deserve personalized support. That’s what I’m here for. It’s that simple. The quantity of your time may be short, still the quality of your experience still matters.

    Q: Does this include vigil?

    A: Yes, it’s a gift to be together throughout the process. We can make a plan that includes vigil.

    Q: I or my loved one just received a terminal diagnosis. I don’t know what I need yet. Help!

    A: This is a wacky time! You don’t need to know yet. Email, call, or set up a 30 min. consult and we’ll begin learning together. We don’t need to know exactly what the map looks like to begin walking and observing the terrain.

VIGIL for PERSON ACTIVELY DYING

When we have the privilege of preparation, sometimes a person can labor out of life in supportive and nurturing ways. The active dying phase typically lasts two-four days. Vigil is most often in four, six, eight, and 12 hour shifts. 24-hour support is available by special arrangement.

  • This package rate includes:

    • One-two hour initial consultation and vigil planning session

    • up to 16 hours of bedside vigil support

    • text, phone, email, and resource referral support

    • up to two hours of death aftercare and/or grief support

  • Suggested cost: $1800

    Pay as you are led.

    Everyone’s expenses and incomes and privileges vary. Please assess at what cost you feel you can afford and value intensive vigil and support during the last days of life. Anything over this amount will be designated to the Community Care Fund. To access this fund, please complete application.

  • Q: I do not want to die alone. Do you offer 24/7 vigil services?

    A: I get asked this more often than you might think. Yes, this can be arranged for those in the active dying phase at an additional cost if this is your greatest wish. It may be that my backup doula will need to take a shift or we have a very clear plan with other supports available when I am not. It’s not only possible but a powerful to work together in this way.

    This question often starts a vigil conversation and we will make agreements to honor your wishes to the greatest extent possible. Also, for a wide variety of reasons, clients can sometimes feel less strongly about requiring a physical presence of others in the room as death nears. Your plan might change; I’m here for that, too.

    Q: There was no plan or support. Now we need it stat. Help!

    A: This is what I exist for. Give a call: 802-404-2144.

Personalized
CARE

For those in need of intensive, ongoing, and/or highly personalized support through the end of their life or the life of someone they love. This can range from immediate support with terminal diagnosis in a complex situation to cleansing and dressing your body after death.

Things are both inevitable and change quickly, slow then fast, in life and deathwork too. Please reach out immediately if you know this level of individualized support is what you are seeking.

LIFE REVIEW & LEGACY PROJECTS

Together we will create a personalized process to review, preserve, and celebrate your life, your most important experiences and memories, or plan a legacy project. It can be as simple as a ceremonial telling of your life story one final time or a creative project to capture the story in physical form.

END-OF-LIFE PLANNING

Some people have planned more for a vacation than they have for their death. This checklist is a good place to start. I can support you to complete tasks on this list as part of our work together.

RESOURCES

From funeral ideas to practical comfort measures for final days, check back often for a growing list of resources.