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.

Balanced Soul's Jennifer Foley in a consultation with a client. Seated in chairs in Balanced Soul's Broad Ripple office, the two are discussing the variety of holistic health services offered to patients in Indianapolis.

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

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.

End-of-Life Resources

We’ve compiled a list of resources, both local and online for both individuals and loved ones to help them navigate this time of transition.

What We Offer

15-minute Exploratory

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.

Initial Consultation and Personalized Doula Service Plan Development (Includes Comfort Care Plan) | $150

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.

Ongoing End of Life Doula Services

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. If a client is outside of the Indianapolis area, there will be a travel fee.

We offer two packages for ongoing services,
10 hour package: $850
20-hour package: $1600

Balanced Soul Doula Collective

Our team of end-of-life doulas is here to provide compassionate, personalized support for both the individual and their loved ones during life’s final chapter. We believe in the power of a team approach, working together to ensure every need is met with care, respect, and understanding.

Balanced Soul’s End-of-Life Doula team is comprised of Jenny Foley, Wendy Sulkoske, and Michael Gabovitch.

“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.