Services Available to Clients
Services include but are not limited to:
Emotional Support:
- Deep active listening
- Holding space for healing
- Inviting emotional processing
- Encouraging open, honest conversation
Practical Support:
- Set-up and facilitate Zoom meetings e.g., care/support team meetings
- Information gathering and resource curation
- Help create support team and identify roles
- Calling funeral homes for pricing/information
Education/Planning in the areas of:
- Beginning end of life planning, whether healthy or ill
- Disposition Options e.g., traditional burial, green/natural burial, aquamation, terramation and cremation
- Paperwork e.g., Advance Directives, POLST (Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
- Recognizing signs and symptoms of active dying
- After-death body care coaching
- Accessing Community Resources
- MAID-Medical Aid in Dying
- VSED-Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking
Tools We Use:
- Legacy Project - The emotional and spiritual inheritance you leave behind, e.g, letter writing, photo album, etc.
- Vigil Plan - A plan for how the dying person wishes the last days of life to look, sound and feel. It engages the senses, is grounded in their values and guides visitors during the final days.
- Guided imagery sessions and rituals
- Best 3 Months of Life: A vision map for end of life care
Client Advocacy:
- Speak to the hospice/palliative team
- Support visitors in respecting Vigil Plan
Bereavement:
- After-death reprocessing visit
- Grief resources
What Evening Star EOL Doulas are NOT:
Counselors/social workers, medical providers, funeral directors, physical caregivers, legal/financial advisors; however, we can help identify resources for you in these and any related areas. Contact us for additional clarification.
A new offering from Deanna...
In honor of my beloved dog Fozzie, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in December of 2020, I would like to offer conversation, information and support to anyone dealing with pet decline and loss. I learned so much from Fozzie in the 15 years he was with me, and that did not end with his death. I know our society tends to not take pet loss and grief seriously, but I know first hand how very real it is. Whatever you are experiencing is real and it is valid.
Years ago I received training as a pet death doula, but at that time Fozzie was older and beginning to decline, so I didn’t feel that I could best serve others in this way. I now feel ready to share what I’ve learned and to be a shoulder to lean on for others going through this difficult experience.
I am offering this service at no charge. Donations are welcome, but not expected.
Here are some lovely words from some friends I supported during the loss of their beloved cat, JD:
I can't put into words how thankful we are to have you as a friend and for your amazing compassion and advice yesterday. I didn't think I could handle having J.D. home with us, but it truly helped. Being able to wash him, dry him with a towel and then blow dry and brush him was the most cathartic thing. It brought J and I together and gave us something to do to help process. He was the most fastidious kitty, and we both couldn't imagine him being happy in the condition he was in since he hadn't been able to properly clean himself for the past month. Being able to pet him and be close to him was a wonderful experience and allowed us to see him how we remembered him rather than the sick kitty he has been leading up to this. I will be singing the praises of this for the rest of my life. I know the grief is still going to come in waves, but this was able to give us some extra time to process and accept. - DK
D has been helped so much by having JD's body here. He wasn't sure he would be able to touch him, but took the lead on washing and blow drying him last night. Having his body there with us also allowed us to talk about him in ways I don't think would be possible if he had been taken away at the vet. The fear of the possible horror faded in D and we both laughed and cried and stroked JD's soft fur and came to terms with mortality. It's such a beautiful thing I didn't even realize we needed. Just know that your words, your knowledge and your you-ness made such a difference in our lives and I am now a death doula fanatic. You've turned the poison of Fozzie's death into medicine for us and I know that I plan to try to do the same. So so very grateful for you. - JG
If you aren’t ready to reach out, please have a look at these resources:
Why We Need to Take Pet Loss Seriously article
Dove Lewis Pet Loss Support resources
BrightHaven Center for Animal Rescue, Hospice and Holistic Education
Pet’s Point of View - Ute Luppertz is a holistic healing coach for animals, a senior pet specialist, a pet death doula and an animal communicator.
I’m wishing you so much peace.