The Village Healer

death and dying

  • The Power of Presence

    It was a Monday, like any other Monday and I had a new patient to assess. Talking to the hospice nurse before I made my visit I learned that Violet had been admitted on Friday in stable condition was expected… Continue reading

  • When Death Comes – An End of Life Doula Perspective

    Early on Life taught me that it had a set of bookends named Birth and Death. I was not afforded the luxury of death denial. I understood clearly that death was always part of the deal. This perspective impacted my… Continue reading

  • Death Is Imminent

    When I try to explain how I can help with the last days or even with the grieving period, I get a little tongue tied. I don’t have a set formula or pat answers to any situation. What I have… Continue reading

    Death Is Imminent

  • Isn’t That What Hospice Is For?

    I spoke to a hospital chaplain the other day to speak to her about my end of life doula services. Her initial response to me was, “that’s what we have hospice for.” If you haven’t already, pause here to read… Continue reading

  • Why I Am Not Called A Death Doula

    ‘Death Doula’, while I love alliteration, has the feel of ‘Angel of Death’…and that couldn’t be further from the truth. While the end of life doula profession is being modeled after birth doulas, that is where the similarity ends. A… Continue reading

  • The Elephant In The Room Is Dying

    Talking about death and dying is considered taboo. It is as if we have this belief that we will manifest it just by speaking of it. This is no more true than speaking of the sunset causes the sun to… Continue reading