End of life companionship
Supporting you and your family from diagnosis to death and beyond
An End of Life Companion, also known as Soul Midwife or Death Doula provides practical, emotional and spriritual support.
As a non-medical, holistic companion I will guide and support you towards a gentle and tranquil death. My work may begin from point of diagnosis
and continue through and beyond death. I will encourage you to live life fully, in this final stage of life.
What a good death looks like varies form person to person, so I will always tailor my care to encompass your beliefs, life choices and passions as well as your physical and emotional condition, By providing emotional, practical, and spiritual support, my aim is to facilitate an end of life that is is as authentic, peaceful, meaningful and dignified as possible.
gentle conversations
Sitting with you, encouraging and opening conversations about death to reduce fears and isolation. Being open and non – judgemental, welcoming all your emotions, meeting you just where you are on this journey.
PLANNING AHEAD
Thinking in advance about what you would like towards the end of your life helps you and your family greatly. Guiding you through recording your wishes and advising on associated paperwork. Helping you communicate these wishes to family and friends.
Holding space
Creating and holding a sacred and healing space, to ensure your comfort and peace, that also meets your medical and practical needs, whether that be in your home, hospital or care home. Providing a calming presence for family and friends.
SPIritual support
Working holistically with your spirit and soul at all levels and stages of transition. Helping you create meaningful ritual to honour your transition.
Respecting and enabling your beliefs and practices around life, death and the afterlife.
Advocacy
Working alongside you to ensure that your wishes are heard and respected by all those involved in your care. Helping you and those close to you navigate local health and social care services. Signposting to relevant organisations that can offer support.
MEMORY AND LEGACY WORK
Helping you and your family honour and remember you, both during and after the dying process. Creating legacy projects like memory boxes, scrapbooks, or audio recordings, or creating rituals and ceremonies to celebrate your life.
Keeping loving vigil
Keeping a quiet and reflective vigil beside your bedside as you near death. Offering support and respite for friends and family during this time. Offering reassurance and guidance about the dying process.
after death support
Offering guidance and comfort to your family and friends after your death, including support with death registration paperwork, and funeral planning. Continuing to offer emotional support for the bereaved in the initial weeks after death.
community awareness
I am also passionate about helping to increase knowledge and ease around the subject of death and dying. Together we can create authentic, compassionate communities that care for those at the end of life.
FAQs
Here are some of the questions I am often asked. If you would like to discuss anything or have other questions, please do get in touch.
hOW CAN YOU HELP?
Mainly by being present, listening to your needs and offering support and reassurance where needed. My work is tailored to each person’s needs and wishes.
WHO CAN YOU HELP?
Anyone who is facing the end of life, whether that is due to age or terminal illness. I can also provide guidance, reassurance, and emotional support to families, friends and carers.
Where do you work?
I can provide support in a variety of settings, in your own home, a care or nursing home. I can also support you in hospital or a hospice, complementing the work that the nursing teams ensuring they feel cared for and informed in a clinical environment.
what area do you cover?
I am generally happy to travel up to 20 miles from Ashburton, Devon but can make some exception to this rule.
What do you charge?
I understand that everyone’s situation is different and so operate a a sliding scale for charges to ensure that I can make it availble it available to as many people as possible.
The centre of this scale is £40 for the first hour and £25 for additional hours per visit. This includes up to 20 miles travel from Ashburton.
If your situation is abundant, I ask that you pay more, to enable me to sustain this work.
If your situation means you would not be able to pay this rate, please get in touch and I am sure we can find something that works for both of us.
WHat are the limits to your work?
I think it as important to explain what I can not do. This includes any any form of medical, nursing or personal care and I am not able to give medical, legal or financial advice.