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Sally Gabriel Ph.D.
Guidance
through life's FINAL transition
I specialize in
offering a steady, knowledgeable, and compassionate presence.
As a death doula, I provide emotional, spiritual, physical, and logistical support, ensuring that individuals and their loved ones feel empowered and comforted every step of the way as they navigate illness and end of life.
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Sally is dedicated to educating
Sally is dedicated to educating individuals about the end-of-life space, bringing a compassionate and insightful approach to a subject that many find challenging. Her work in normalizing conversations around this topic helps to transform perceptions of death into something inevitable rather than frightening
- Public Speaking Client
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I highly recommend Sally...
"I highly recommend Sally as an end of life doula. She was an incredibly helpful and compassionate support for my Dad and family as we prepared for his end of life transition. She was there for us before the end was near as we navigated anticipatory grief. We had necessary conversations that helped us plan and be prepared for things we hadn't thought of. When we learned that Dad was actively dying she was available immediately to hold vigil and support us through the difficult days and hours ahead - both logistically and emotionally. I can't thank you enough for the love and care you provided, Sally”.
- Daughter Of Client
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Sally is extraordinarily skilled...
“Sally is extraordinarily skilled. She is kind, patient, loving and empathetic. She was wonderful in helping my sister at the end of her life and helping all of us in the family deal with our sadness and loss".
- Sister Of Client
I am Here For You.
"People don’t understand that there’s a normal, natural way of dying…The goal {for End of Life Doulas} is to help people have a positive experience so everyone involved will have a sacred memory to carry with them.”
- Barbara Kairns, RN, End of Life Educator
An End of Life Doula, also known as a death doula, dying companion, or death midwife, is a trained, non-medical professional who provides emotional, physical, informational, and spiritual support to individuals who are nearing the end of their lives and their families. Doulas offer guidance, education, and assistance before, during, and after death.
An End of Life Doula operates like a life coach for patients and families at the end of life. She is there to help you determine what matters most during your life's final chapter and helps bring your wishes to fruition. What loose ends do you need help tying up? What broken or estranged relationships would you like to resolve? She can help you share your untold stories or help you hold a "pre-memorial so you can reminisce together with your friends and family.
While most people cannot comfortably discuss death and the end of life, an End of Life Doula is trained to speak easily about these subjects and to treat dying as a natural process. She will help you and your loved ones experience the best outcome possible - death with dignity and physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort.
We answer questions, ease anxieties, serve as guides, and advocate for autonomy and dignity. End of Life Doulas are not only for the imminently dying. We can assist people in all stages of life with advanced care planning, education, resolving death anxiety, and supporting grief.
Please see the section under SERVICES for more specific information on what support I can provide.
When we let death “happen” without planning, it becomes a medical event rather than a normal part of a life cycle. We must remind ourselves that death is a natural part of life. Approximately 30% of people create end of life plans and share them with their loved ones. But what about the other 70%? We will all experience death at some point, so why not plan for it? The more you plan for your death, the better the experience will be for all involved.
The greatest determining factor in whether or not an end of life journey is considered positive is the level of support experienced throughout the process. End of Life Doulas are Event Planners for the dying and help fill the gaps between all of your different service providers. We can work with you, your family members, and caregivers to help you develop an “End of Life Care Plan” so you have a say in the different aspects of your dying journey.
End of Life Doulas are a calming and reassuring presence with knowledge of the death process. We serve as a compassionate resource for families who may be in shock, overwhelmed, and grieving at the impending death of a loved one. There are various services the End of Life Doula can offer in the dying process, and they are primarily a comforting, reliable, and knowledgeable presence during a difficult and emotional time.
Why wouldn’t you need an End of Life Doula? Maybe that’s a better question.
End of LifeDoulas can be called in at any point during the end-of-life process (or earlier; see the next question). The best time to hire a death doula is at the point when a person first gets a terminal diagnosis. End of Life Doulas do not have the same admission criteria that hospice does and can begin important discussions at any time during one's illness. The sooner the End of Life Doula enters the process, the more time she has to get to know you and your family, prioritize end of life needs, and, with your input, create a high-quality End of Life Care Plan.
Absolutely not. You do not have to meet any particular criteria to work with an End of Life Doula. If you (or someone you love) receive a life-limiting or terminal diagnosis, even if the prognosis is years, I welcome you to contact me whenever you feel ready to start the conversations and planning around death. People without known diagnoses also work with End of Life Doulas to facilitate challenging conversations, create advance directives and manage death anxiety.
Defining what constitutes a “good death” is deeply personal. However, there are certain common elements that cut across religious, cultural, and individual beliefs. These elements contribute to a sense of what it means to have a good death. They include management of pain, maintaining dignity, emotional and spiritual well-being, advance care plans in place, having loved ones present, creating our legacy, and coming to terms with the end of our life. In the end, a “good death” is one that allows individuals to die on their own terms. With a personalized approach to end of life care, I strive to make a “good death” possible to each of my clients.
Yes. End of Life Doulas provide supplementary and complementary support. Anyone who has had a loved one in hospice knows that the number of hours of weekly hospice care is usually quite limited due to staffing, budgeting, and Medicare restrictions. Doulas work well alongside hospice staff and can provide more service hours than hospice workers.
Yes. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO ) is the membership organization for all the hospices in the US. They have created The End of Life Doula Council to be able to share with hospices and families how the professional End of Life Doula can assist and complete the hospice team to fill in “the gaps in care” and allow for the best end of life experience for both the patient and their loved ones.
It is recommended that every individual and family facing a terminal illness call a local hospice as soon as possible. Usually, there is a medical referral to hospice, but that’s not necessary, as they can be contacted directly. End of Life Doula services do not replace the hospice's medical team of nursing, social work, and physician care; they complement the hospice team.
Doulas offer more personalized attention, more continuity at the bedside, more advocacy for patient wishes, and more time availability than what hospice can provide. We are trained and practiced in being with intense and difficult emotions and listening fully. We can provide a consistent relationship with clients and families and full-time presence and companionship at the vigil and death. No other programs are currently providing that level of end of life support.
Some hospices in the U.S. offer complimentary end-of-life (EOL) doula services as part of their care. While these hospice doulas receive specialized training, their role is limited by hospice regulations. Unlike private EOL doulas, who can provide comprehensive support, hospice doulas may be unable to address certain immediate needs independently. This can lead to potential delays as patients must be referred to hospice social workers for assistance.
Private EOL doulas offer more extensive support, including immediate attention to practical needs and ongoing emotional and spiritual care. While hospice doulas are provided at no cost, many clients find the value of a private doula's comprehensive services outweighs the financial investment. Our experience shows that patients and loved ones often prefer the personalized and efficient coordination provided by a private EOL doula, in conjunction with the medical care offered by hospice.
Many qualified training programs educate and certify End of Life Doulas. Many Doulas have medical, social work, psychology, counseling, ministerial, or similar backgrounds before training as an End of Life Doula. When you choose an End of Life Doula, be sure to choose one who has earned certification.
Not yet. The End of Life Doula profession is non-medical. Just like the establishment of birth doulas 40 years ago, a government license is not necessary to enter the profession.
Yes. The National End of Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) has set a national practicum with Core Competencies for the practice of professional End of Life Doulas. All End of Life Doulas that pass the assessment receive the NEDA National Credential and can become members of the national membership organization.
No. End of Life Doulas are usually private pay. All “companion” services, such as home health aides, are private pay. Some hospices in the US include End of Life Doula services, but hospices may limit how much time and what services death doulas can provide to their clients.
End of Life Doulas charge for their services in various ways. Some create service packages for a set fee, while others charge by the hour.
No. An End of Life Doula does not give any prescription or over-the-counter medication. Only specific medical personnel and trained caregivers (including family members) can administer medication.
Yes. An End of Life Doula can help with all the necessary preparations before and after a person’s death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Offering Non-Medical Support Services from Advanced Illness through End of Life
Certified End of Life Doula & Certified Grief Educator In Sarasota, Florida & Beyond
If you're experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one or anticipating a loss, I can assist you as a Grief Educator in navigating This Time.
About Me
Sally Gabriel Ph.D.
I am a compassionate End-of-Life Doula and Grief Educator, dedicated to supporting individuals and families through aging, illness, death, and grief. With professional training in coaching, communication, end-of-life care, and grief, I provide a safe space for expressing thoughts and emotions while helping create a dignified, personalized end-of-life experience. Serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties in Florida in person and offering remote support nationwide, I am here to guide you and your loved ones every step of the way.
