Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing with Mystic Mag to discuss my passion for educating on the topic of death and grief, and my role as a an End Of Life Doula.

Facing the end of life—whether our own or that of a loved one—is one of the most profound experiences we will ever navigate. As an End-of-Life Doula and Grief Educator, my mission is to provide compassionate guidance, emotional support, and practical planning to ensure that this transition is met with dignity, clarity, and peace. Too often, conversations around death and dying are avoided, leaving families unprepared and uncertain. Through open dialogue, personalized care, and thoughtful preparation, I help individuals and their loved ones find comfort, understanding, and a sense of control during life’s final chapter.
In this article, I discuss the role of an End-of-Life Doula in providing emotional, spiritual, physical, and logistical support to individuals and families facing terminal diagnoses. I explore the importance of advance care planning, including creating living wills and ensuring final wishes are communicated and honored. Additionally, I share insights into the grieving process, offering guidance on how to navigate loss in a healthy and meaningful way. I also highlight the importance of normalizing conversations about death and dying through public education, community events, and open dialogue. Finally, I share my personal journey into this work and how my experiences have shaped my approach to end-of-life care.
Interview With Mystic Mag
A Holistic Approach to End-of-Life Care
Receiving a life-limiting or terminal diagnosis changes everything. It can be overwhelming for

both the individual and their loved ones, leaving many unsure of what steps to take next. As an end-of-life doula, I provide emotional, spiritual, physical, and logistical support to help navigate this difficult time. My role includes assisting with practical tasks such as advance care planning, creating vigil plans, ensuring essential documents and passwords are accessible, and addressing other important end-of-life considerations.
Beyond the logistical aspects, I offer a compassionate presence, providing space for reflection, open conversations, and emotional support. Facing death often brings up unresolved emotions, fear, and uncertainty. I help individuals explore their beliefs, find meaning in their remaining time, and work through unfinished business, regrets, or the need for forgiveness. Grief is a natural part of this process, both for those at the end of life and their loved ones. My goal is to provide guidance and comfort, ensuring that no one faces this journey alone.
The Importance of Advance Care Planning

Planning ahead allows individuals to have more control over their end-of-life care, ensuring their wishes are honored. One of the most critical aspects of my work is helping clients create advance care directives, including the appointment of a healthcare surrogate and the completion of a living will. I guide my clients through this process using a form called "Five Wishes," which helps outline their personal, medical, emotional, and spiritual preferences for care.
Equally important is making sure that these wishes are effectively communicated. I facilitate open discussions between clients, their surrogates, and loved ones to ensure everyone understands and respects their decisions. During active dying and after death, I serve as an advocate to help carry out these wishes, providing peace of mind to both the individual and their family.
Supporting Grief with Compassion and Understanding
Grief is a deeply personal experience, and there is no "right" way to grieve. I emphasize this truth with every client, creating a safe space for them to express their emotions, share memories, and process their loss. Grief is multifaceted, often bringing up feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, or even relief. I help individuals understand that all of these emotions are valid and natural.
Through compassionate listening, education, and grief-processing techniques, I support clients in working through their emotions. Grief must move through us in order to be fully processed, and I offer tools to help this movement, including physical activities that support emotional release. Healing is not about "getting over" a loss but about integrating it into life in a way that allows love and remembrance to remain at the forefront rather than pain.
Normalizing Conversations About Death and Dying
Our society often shies away from discussing death, leading to fear and avoidance. Through
public speaking and educational initiatives, I work to change this narrative, encouraging open conversations about mortality and proactive end-of-life planning. I host workshops on advance care planning, the role of death doulas, and grief education. Additionally, I facilitate Death Cafés—safe spaces where people can discuss death without judgment.
Upcoming initiatives include "Death Over Dinner" and "Death Over Drinks" events at local restaurants, designed to make these discussions more accessible and comfortable. Many people find that their first experience at a death-focused event is transformative, providing them with the confidence to discuss their end-of-life wishes with family and friends.
One of the greatest challenges in this work is overcoming the cultural reluctance to confront mortality. However, societal attitudes are beginning to shift, with more conversations about death taking place through books, podcasts, and social media. I am honored to be part of this growing movement, helping to change the way we approach and understand end-of-life care.
My Journey into End-of-Life Care
My path to becoming an end-of-life doula was deeply personal. I have always been drawn to

psychology, aging, and the study of life transitions. However, it wasn’t until I experienced the loss of both of my parents in 2017—within months of each other—that I truly understood the gaps in end-of-life support. They passed away in separate facilities, with no clear conversations about their wishes. This left me feeling lost, uncertain, and wishing for a better way.
A few years later, I cared for a close friend during the last four months of her life. Though I didn’t know the term "death doula" at the time, I naturally stepped into that role—helping her plan, ensuring her wishes were followed, and creating a meaningful and peaceful end-of-life experience. This experience profoundly shaped my calling to guide others through this sacred transition.
In 2022 and 2024, I completed formal end-of-life doula training, combining my personal experiences with professional education. Today, I help individuals and families navigate the complexities of dying, ensuring that no one has to face this journey alone. Whether facilitating advance care planning, providing emotional and spiritual support, or simply being a calm and steady presence, my mission is to bring peace, dignity, and compassion to the end-of-life process.
Everyone deserves a supportive guide in their final chapter. Through education, advocacy, and compassionate care, I strive to empower individuals and families to face this transition with grace, love, and understanding.
End-of-life care is about more than just planning—it’s about creating space for dignity, love, and meaningful connection in life’s final chapter. By embracing these conversations, preparing for what’s ahead, and honoring each individual’s wishes, we can transform the way we experience death and grief. My role as an End-of-Life Doula is to offer guidance, support, and compassion every step of the way, ensuring that no one has to navigate this journey alone. Together, we can shift the narrative around death, bringing comfort, understanding, and peace to those facing life’s most profound transition.

If you are Interested in learning more about end of life or about grief support - please contact me at EpilogueCare@gmail.com.

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