Death Doula and Holistic Caregiving Services
What is a death doula?
I believe death doulas have existed informally for all of time. As our Western culture has lost connection with the importance of holistic support, especially during periods of intense transition, more formalized roles have formed to fill these needs. I’ve heard it said that the generation that birthed midwives and birth doulas are now reaching out for a different kind of experience facing the end of their lives. Death doulas are emerging as an invaluable part of end of life care, providing emotional, mental and practical support that’s fundamental to the transition of dying.
How does this fit with traditional end of life care?
The death doula role nicely complements the important roles of hospice staff and traditional end of life care. Due to constraints of insurance and the medical system, hospice services are restricted in what services they can perform, how much time can be spent, and ways of engagement. A death doula can fill these needs in a flexible, individualized way and provide a bridge between medical staff and family caregivers.
Meet Sarah
I’m a 33 year old “old soul” with a background in neurology clinical research. I spent almost a decade intensively engaged in meditation and trauma healing work. I’m delighted to have been powerfully drawn to end of life care after profound experiences with death in my personal life and to watch these different parts of me integrate into this role that suits me so well. I’ve been honored to provide respite care, vigiling, active dying support, end of life paperwork assistance, reiki and dried flower arrangements. I’m regularly told I provide a gentle, calming presence that feels like family. I seem to especially resonate with dementia patients and people who are extra sensitive to outsiders. As I’ve learned to do for myself, I show up as a steadfast companion for whatever arises and have learned to never underestimate the power of being present.
Education:
BSc in Neuroscience
Certified Death/End of Life Doula through Care Doula- School of Accompanying the Dying
EMT
American Red Cross CPR & First Aid Instructor
Certified Mediator
What I offer
Respite Care
You’re the primary caregiver and you need breaks to keep showing up the way you want for your loved one. This is often a hard baton to pass and I’m up for facing that challenge with you.
Active Dying Support
I can be there with you during the thick of it, as a grounding, knowledgeable and accepting presence. This is the role I naturally fill in my personal life and it was an exciting day when I realized that this passion and capacity could spread further by serving those I don’t yet know.
Vigiling
Some families don’t want their loved one to be left alone while they’re going through active dying. In this situation, having other loving, quiet people come and be with them for periods of time is common and referred to as vigiling or holding vigil. I’m honored to provide this for anyone who wants it.
“When my father, who was a doctor, came home to die, he said that the one thing he wanted was to not be left alone.” - Ruth Porter, Adamant VT
Service Area: New England - based in Portsmouth, NH
Fee Schedule: $30/hour. Sliding scale available.
Consultations are free of charge
Testimonials
“You were so helpful and such a comfort to us while he was dying, and I'm so grateful that you were there, as a gentle reminder that things were going the way they needed to go. You made it much less scary.”
- Ruth Porter, Adamant VT
