What is a Death Doula?
Death Doula, Anam-Cara, or Soul Companion is someone who supports the death experience (before, during, and after) and all those involved in a care provider role. Dying is an emotional journey and can be overwhelming for the dying as well as the friends and family of the dying. A Death Doula is there to take some of that load from your shoulders, and be an extra set of hands and warm heart. They do not provide legal or medical aid.
A Death Doula’s work could look like logistical planning for the before, during, and after death; conducting rituals or comforting practices; helping the dying person reflect on their life and values; explaining the bodily functions of dying to their caregivers; providing companionship to the person who is dying and/or to the primary caregivers around them (which can be as simple as a cup of tea, doing the dishes, listening to how their day went, or escorting them to their appointments).
Adrianna believes a Death Doula is like the big sister you need to help you get through this difficult time and heavy subject.
Companion + Respite Care
By phone, online video call, or in-person companion care that can look a lot like what Adrianna calls “your professional Big Sister” helping out and always here to listen and validate your experience. Do you need help with chores, tackling procrastination around end of life organization, or maybe someone to sit with? Or are you caring for someone who is dying and you need some downtime, Adrianna can give you some respite and stay with your loved one while you get stuff done away from the home or take some much needed downtime.
Swedish Death Cleaning
Downsizing can be intimidating, but Adrianna LOVES a good Marie Condo exercise – having a third party to help sort through items can be an asset to tackle procrastination and sort through legacy items for family keepsakes, and objects that may be suited for donation or reselling. “Swedish Death Cleaning is a method of decluttering to get rid of the stuff neither you nor your family needs after you pass away.”
Grief and Bereavement Support
Facing grief alone is a huge undertaking, Adrianna has lived experience and training on how best to support you through your grief journey.
Legacy Projects
Have you thought about what you want to leave behind in this world? Is it a tactile thing like a recipe book, photo or music albums? Or is it videos and letters for your loved ones to receive posthumously? Let Adrianna help you achieve your legacy.
Rituals and Vigils
Death and dying is a profound moment that everyone will experience. Creating sacred space and ritualized care for end of life can help with death anxiety and the grief of those close to the person (or pet) who is dying. Sitting vigil can look different for everyone, what do you want surrounding you at the end of life?
End of Life Planning Support
Wanting to plan ahead and get your needs and wishes known to your family and friends to avoid confusion when faced with death? Adrianna can help you sit with discomfort while talking about end of life planning and make it easier to plan for the future. What does a good death look like to you? Surrounded by people, or perhaps just your pet? Funerals and memorials can reflect our personalities with big parties or small gatherings; from living funerals to quiet remembrances, what suits your story?
MAiD Support
Supporting people through their end of life decisions and those around them.
Graveside Confessionals
Have you ever wanted that movie scene to play out at your funeral, maybe it’s the lone stranger holding an umbrella with dark sunglasses that stares at the funeral gathering from afar inspiring mystery… Or perhaps you want to make sure your loved ones get a hug and a personalized message from beyond the grave. Or maybe you want to confess something from the otherside. With a bit of planning, Adrianna can show up for you when you are gone.
Try something different: Walk’n’Talk with Adrianna at Riverdale Park East or Cherry Beach Dog Park in Toronto, so many people who are heavy with grief struggle with leaving their home, they don’t want to go anywhere or do anything as they are numbed by grief. This is an alternative to in-home companioning where we get up and go outside to let nature help us restore ourselves with sunshine, fresh air, and some tree bathing (it’s a thing: shinrin-yoku!) to help alleviate the weight of grief symptoms in our bodies.
