Excerpt from "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi
My role as a Death Doula is to provide emotional and practical support to individuals and their families who are facing terminal illness or end-of-life transitions. This involves many different aspects of support. It may be providing information, understanding and resources to ease the stress of the unknown or navigating the many difficult choices and practicalities that have to be managed on a day to day basis. It may mean providing guidance and support to family members, friends and caregivers, helping them to move through their own grieving process.
The goal of a Death Doula is to help create a peaceful, meaningful and supportive end-of-life experience for all involved in a manner that is peaceful, dignified and in alignment with their values and beliefs.
Legacy work at end of life is the process of creating a lasting legacy for of the person who is nearing end of life. This work can be done with the individual who is dying as a process of helping them come to terms with what they are facing or it can be done with loved ones after death has occurred as a way of helping them with their grief. This can include a range of activities, from creating a memorial service or writing a eulogy, to making arrangements for the care of dependents and organizing the distribution of assets. Legacy work can also encompass less tangible items like preparing a photo album or writing a letter of appreciation to those who were important in the life of the deceased. Legacy work at end of life is a way to honor and remember the life of a loved one and ensure their wishes are met.
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Not everyone is comfortable with the moment of death. A Life Care Doula's presence in keeping vigil can help to ensure that the right balance of comfort and support is available for all involved so that the death itself is experienced as a dignified one. Keeping vigil is about being present for the dying person and their loved ones so that there is always a calming and reassuring presence, helping to maintain a comfortable and peaceful atmosphere, and assisting the dying person in a manner that ensures they are made as comfortable as possible. Some loved ones feel very ill-at-ease with the idea of being with someone at the moment of death but do not wish their loved one to be alone. In this case, it can be a huge comfort to know someone is there to provide a caring presence and will continue to be there to offer support as loved ones say their goodbyes.
However you choose to honor your loved one, whether it is by holding a Celebration of Life service or a more traditional funeral or memorial service, I can assist you in creating a service that will help you honor your loved ones life. You choose the location and style of service and I will help guide you through the details.
This type of support helps individuals to process their emotions and feelings related to the loss, cope with their grief, and move forward in a healthy and meaningful way. While most people do receive support and understanding from others around them, grieving can feel lonely because there are thoughts and feelings that you may not feel comfortable admitting to and you may have difficulty understanding what is happening to you. Intense emotions can be very difficult to navigate especially when you are afraid of upsetting others around you.
When you are grieving, there is a need for safe space and practical guidance to help you see your way through to being able to live your normal life. It is not uncommon that long-term effects of grief can continue to impact an individual for months or even years after the loss. Receiving support during this time can help individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms and reduce the risk of having their life seemingly fall apart.
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