End of Life Doula
Nurture. Inform. Support. Guide. Empower. Comfort.
What is a good death?
A good death is demonstrated when we honor the end-of-life choices of the terminally ill. By creating an end-of-life care plan that includes decisions around pain and symptom management, forming legacy projects, experiencing closeness with people who care, and establishing a peaceful resting space, we allow death to become a sacred human experience.
Supporting individuals and loved ones through this time of transition
Much like a midwife does with the birthing process, End-of-Life Doulas are non-medical, professionally trained individuals who assist in the dying process. We help individuals, and their caregivers, cope with death by providing physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual support before, during and after the death occurs.
Death Doulas are different from hospice or palliative care because we do not provide medical care.
Our Services
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This is a holistic plan that documents the clients physical, emotional, mental, spiritual wishes for their last hours/days/weeks/months of life. It provides families/caregivers with specific instructions designed to support the needs during end of life.
This Care Plan is best created when the client can still advocate for themselves, however it can be made at any point during the end-of-life process. This plan acts as the voice of the client by stating personalized wishes and choices to optimize comfort as the patient undergoes the dying process. The Balanced Soul End-of-Life Care Plan allows a better quality of life giving the dying client an ability to continue to play an active role in their death process.
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This comfort may include Reiki, Massage, Energy Medicine, Sound Immersion, and Guided Imagery.
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How would you like to be remembered? A legacy project creates a lasting, tangible memory to connect, inspire, and remind loved ones about who you are/were throughout your life. Family members and friends are encouraged to take part in sharing special memories. Legacy work provides a unique opportunity to reflect on life lived, reviewing experiences through events and the people who shaped your life. It can be a powerful coping tool not only for the client but the people that love them. Legacy projects are also helpful in creating eulogies and writing obituaries.
Examples of Life Legacy Projects:
Letter writing and journaling
Scrapbooking
Memory books
Genealogy
Charitable donations
Videos/Recordings
Scheduling gifts and cards to be distributed on “special days”
Cookbooks of favorite family recipes
Framed pictures with special sayings
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A life review consists of fluid discussions, reflections, and deep listening choreographed by the Doula. The client sets their own pace to review past relationships, careers, or general stories from life. During this time, clients are supported if they happen to encounter emotions such as anger, regrets, unfinished business, unresolved conflicts, or fears. Further action maybe desired that the Doula assist to establish the space for the client to talk to an estranged loved one, writing a special letter, forgive another or ask another for forgiveness. When we release unfinished business, it often clears space for peace and tranquility in our final days. Expressing gratitude, love, and having deep, honest conversations can help create a beautiful, open, loving atmosphere to share our final time with family and friends.
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This is the design and creation of a peaceful environment in the home for hospice, assisted living and other in-patient settings for the client.
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Caregivers often experience burn out, grief, exhaustion, and stress. Caregivers can receive support through Balanced Soul in the way of grief coaching, well-being plans, stress management, resources for grief support, Reiki, massage, forest bathing, and other tools for self-care.
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This plan is to be used while client is in hospice and during the dying process. The Spiritual Support Plan based solely from the clients’ personal spiritual beliefs and includes rituals, prayer, meditation, poems, religious rites, music and more.
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This plan is explored within the Comfort Care Plan and include details including who will be sitting vigil with the client and what will happen after death. Topics explored are is the body kept in the house for a length of time for others to come and sit with deceased, will body be donated, cremated or buried and what other funeral arrangements are needed.
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A vigil is when an End-of-Life Doula sits bedside with the patient and family during the “active” dying phase.
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The Doula will check-in with family members a few weeks after the death occurs to give support during the grief process.
We offer a variety of services and scope to support our clients and their loved ones during their time of transition. We know each transition looks different, so the list of services will be customized to meet your personal needs.
Process
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15-minute Exploratory Conversation
Schedule a 15-minute exploratory conversation with Jenny to learn more about the services and process. During the call, you’ll learn have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your personal situation with Jenny. At then end of the call, both you and Jenny will know whether or not this is a good fit.
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Initial Consultation and Personalized Doula Service Plan Development | $125
Jenny will meet with the family and client for an initial consultation. During this initial meeting, Jenny will discuss the families/client’s needs, expectations, and potential service offerings. This provides the family/client the opportunity to get to know Jenny and how she could best help support them during this time of transition. After the meeting, Jenny will put together a personalized package for the family/client that includes a personalized plan that encompasses the goals and needs identified. This plan will include a full scope of services with pricing for review.
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Ongoing End of Life Doula Services | $80/hour
Based on the plan, Jenny will work with the family /client to schedule services throughout the course of the engagement. Balanced Soul does not take insurance, so payments must all be paid in full at the end of each service. To make it easier for clients, Jenny can create packages for hours that are paid in advance, rather than accepting payment after every engagement. Please note, if a client is outside of the Indianapolis area, there will be travel fee.
“Jennifer has been an invaluable resource to my family and me as we have navigated the unimaginable path of terminal illness. She has been kind, gentle, caring and understanding. She has been available to answer questions, no matter how significant or insignificant they may be. She provides a wide range of services, including Reiki and energy balancing and healing and has a vast knowledge of end of life rituals as she accompanies you on your journey towards dying. She has made processing my death a very spiritual and sacred experience, for not just me but also for my family.”
— Kelli McLaughlin, Glioblastoma
End of Life Resources
Check out a list of resources, local, national, and online for individuals and their caregivers.
What happens as we die? | Kathryn Mannix | TEDxNewcastle
Most of us have never seen anyone die. Few have any idea what to expect as death approaches, and most have unrealistic fears about it. Kathryn wants to change that.
Resources
NPR Article: Death doulas guide the terminally ill through process of 'dying well'
Read or listen to NPRs article about how death doulas help individuals navigate through this time of transition.
WFIU’s Death Doulas story has just won an EMMY! My editor Sa’ra Wittmeyer is so excited. View the full news release here!
Surviving Death Docu-Series
What happens after we die? This docuseries explores personal stories and research on near-death experiences, reincarnation and paranormal phenomena.
More to Dying Than Meets The Eye
Martha Atkins explains deathbed phenomena and presents ongoing research about the topic. During this TEDtalk, accounts from the dying and from bedside witnesses are shared.