End-of-Life Support Services

The support offered by an end-of-life doula is broad and very personalized. Because every person’s circumstances are unique, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all way to work together. Sometimes my role is very practical; other times, it might simply be holding space for emotions, questions, and whatever is arising. How I support you is guided by your needs, which are fluid and can change over time.

Below are some ways we can spend our time together. You might want to focus on just one area or explore a few – whatever feels right for you.

Advance Care Planning (ACP)

Most of us delay thinking about end-of-life care because it feels overwhelming or emotional. But you don’t have to do it alone – even simple planning can make a big difference for you and the people who love you.

ACP helps you clarify what’s most important to you, have meaningful conversations with the people who might have to speak on your behalf one day, and complete the documents that guide the care you’ll receive if you can’t communicate your wishes. When loved ones know your preferences ahead of time, you prevent them from guessing or disagreeing during an already difficult time.

Together we can review documents/ terms such as:

  • Representation Agreements

  • Temporary Substitute Decision Makers (TSDM)

  • Advance Directives

  • Letters of Wishes

  • No CPR Form (formerly DNR)

  • Expected Death in the Home (EDITH)

  • Enduring Power of Attorney

  • Last Will and Testament

Compassionate Care & Support Through Illness

  • Emotional and practical support during a life-limiting illness for you and those around you

  • Identifying and clarifying wishes, values, and priorities

  • Strengthening communication within your circle of support

  • Help navigating the health care system for a better illness experience

  • Co-creating supportive care plans and schedules

  • Self-care check-ins and respite for caregivers

  • Holding space for tender or difficult conversations

Conversations, Meaning-Making & Legacy Work

  • Listening to and acknowledging your feelings, curiosities, and fears around dying

  • Encouraging or restoring connections that bring a sense of wholeness to relationships

  • Exploring values, stories, and defining moments

  • Reflecting on your life, your impact, and what matters most

  • Legacy projects such as letters, recordings, photos, memory books, art projects

  • Creating symbolic or tangible keepsakes

Vigil & MAID Support

  • Recognizing common changes in the body during active dying, and how to meet these with calmness and reassurance

  • Guidance in creating a peaceful, sacred environment through meaningful objects, sound, scent, touch, and minimizing interruptions

  • Co-creating schedules for caregivers and visitors to keep the space calm and peaceful

  • Support in caring for yourself during vigil: breaks, nourishment, emotional grounding

  • In person vigil support and respite (typically in 2-3 hour blocks)

  • Guidance on spending the hours after death intentionally to integrate and fully honour this huge transition before taking next steps

  • Emotional and practical support before and during Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) provisions

Education & Resource Sharing

  • Information to understand the dying process and what might unfold

  • Clarifying your rights and options throughout your illness that are grounded in your personhood, autonomy, and dignity

  • Curated resources: books, websites, and practices to support your journey

  • Referrals to community organizations and helping professionals

  • Discussing disposition options

  • Information on family-led or home-based body care

  • Support in working with funeral homes and ceremony providers

Companioning Through Grief

  • Emotional support and holding space for anticipatory grief

  • Compassionate presence immediately after a death and check-ins for the weeks and months following

  • Suggestions for personal, ongoing rituals that help you honour your person and stay connected to them

  • Guidance on how to chart your way through this new landscape in your new identity and in your own time

Packages & Pricing

THRESHOLD PACKAGE:
4 hours – $350 + GST

Individualized support including Advance Care Planning, discussions about death and dying, emotional support.

WAYFINDING PACKAGE:
8 hours – $640 + GST

Includes THRESHOLD PACKAGE + more in-depth guidance, family and caregiver support, greater connection to resources.

FULL PASSAGE PACKAGE:
24 hours – $1800 + GST

Includes WAYFINDING PACKAGE + legacy projects, respite care, vigil support, conversations after a loss, companioning through grief.

Hourly rate: $90 + GST

Personalized hourly consulting on any aspect of end-of-life care and planning.