FAQs

It is never too late. While we often help families plan for a peaceful transition, some of our most sacred work happens in the final days or hours. We can step in at any stage to offer a calm, reassuring presence, hold space for the family, and provide gentle guidance through the profound moments of the vigil.

A common misconception is that grief has an expiration date, but in reality, it is a marathon, not a sprint. Another is that talking about death is morbid, when in fact, gentle and open conversations can be a profound source of connection and peace, helping to honor a life and prepare for a sacred transition.

No, because our role is strictly non-medical. We are a compassionate, holistic presence that works in partnership with your hospice and medical teams to support the entire family. By remaining independent of insurance, we can offer support that is guided by your unique needs and timeline, not by external constraints, ensuring you can process your journey at your own pace.

Our primary role is to be a steady, compassionate presence that holds a non-judgmental space for whatever you are feeling. We support you by bearing witness to your journey, listening deeply to your fears and hopes, and facilitating gentle conversations. This may also include creating new rituals of remembrance or legacy projects to honor a life lived and support your emotional well-being.

Ritual is a powerful way to honor a significant life transition and make intentional space for grief. Just as we mark other major life events, creating gentle, personal rituals around the end of life can provide a safe container for our sorrow, help us feel connected to our loved one, and begin a path toward healing.

While we are not mediators, we can hold a calm and respectful space that encourages gentle communication. By facilitating conversations and helping to clarify a loved one’s wishes, we can support family members in listening to one another and finding a path forward together.

A dedicated death doula pursues specialized training through respected organizations to become a skilled and gentle companion. These programs focus on the many facets of end-of-life support, from holding a vigil to bereavement care. While certification requirements vary, a commitment to ongoing education is a hallmark of a compassionate doula.

Our support continues long after a loss, as the family transitions into the first tender moments of bereavement. We remain by your side, offering a steady presence and gentle guidance through the initial hours. This can include holding space for remembrance, assisting with after-death care rituals like washing and dressing, and helping you navigate the first steps of the long journey of grief.

Hospice workers are invaluable medical professionals focused on palliative care and pain management. We are a non-medical presence that works in partnership with them. Our role is to provide complementary support, focusing on the emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of the entire family, bearing witness to the journey and holding space for grief.

As the end of life nears, a person’s body naturally begins to conserve energy and turn inward. You may notice them sleeping more, a decreased interest in food or socializing, changes in their breathing, or becoming less responsive. A doula can help you interpret these signs, reframing what might feel frightening as a normal and peaceful part of the journey.

This is a deeply personal decision, and our role is to help you explore the options that feel most true to you. In New Mexico, these often include conventional burial, natural burial, and cremation, with other beautiful options like body composting available elsewhere. We can provide a gentle, non-judgmental space to discuss these paths, helping you articulate your wishes and create a plan that brings you peace.

You can connect with a death doula at any stage of the journey. Some families reach out years in advance to begin gentle end-of-life planning, while others call after a terminal diagnosis or when a loved one enters hospice. There is no right or wrong time; our support is here whenever you feel you could use a compassionate guide.

Absolutely. We believe honoring the spirit is a sacred part of this journey. We are here to support your unique spiritual and religious beliefs, whether that means helping to create meaningful rituals, connecting with spiritual guides, or simply holding a quiet, respectful space for your own practices to bring comfort.

We are a resource for the entire circle of care. For caregivers, who carry a monumental physical and emotional burden, we offer both practical and soulful support. This includes providing gentle guidance on the dying process, helping to coordinate respite care, and holding a calm, non-judgmental space for the family as they navigate this journey together.

The most important factor is a sense of connection. While training and experience are vital, this is deeply personal work. You are looking for a compassionate companion whose presence feels reassuring and whose philosophy aligns with your own. We encourage a discovery call to ensure you feel a sense of trust and comfort.

In the final days, our most sacred role is to be a calm and steady presence. We communicate through the language of presence—quiet companionship, gentle touch, and holding a peaceful space—to ensure your loved one feels safe and is never alone. We are there to honor their wishes and support the family through this profound and sacred time.

Yes, we can be a calm and reassuring presence when the mortuary arrives. We act as a gentle liaison between your family and the staff, ensuring the transfer is handled with the utmost respect and dignity. Our role is to hold a peaceful, supportive space for you, helping to protect your family’s energy during a difficult transition.

No, our role is strictly non-medical. We are a compassionate, holistic presence that works in partnership with your medical and hospice teams, focusing on the emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of the entire family.