Most people have never heard the term “death doula” until they’re in the middle of a crisis or looking back on one, wishing they’d had more support.

The role of a death doula is to walk alongside individuals and families as they navigate end-of-life. We provide emotional grounding, practical help, and a steady presence during some of life’s most uncertain moments. Unlike hospice or medical care, which tends to focus on the clinical, doulas are trained to focus on the emotional, relational, and spiritual elements of dying and caregiving. We support conversations, clarify wishes, and help create meaning.

But here’s what you won’t find in on Google: most death doulas are drawn to this work through lived experience. It’s not just a calling. It’s often a path walked through personal loss, hard-earned insight, and deep compassion.

For me, that path began when my husband, John, was diagnosed with colon cancer. We walked a two-year journey together filled with medical appointments, treatments, hopes, setbacks and ultimately, goodbye. I was his advocate and caregiver through it all. That experience opened my eyes to how much is left unsaid, unplanned, and unsupported when someone is facing the end of life.

My Journey to Become a Death Doula

After John died, I shifted from a 30-year career in healthcare systems and human resources to become a certified death doula. I wanted to be the person I wish we had, a grounded guide through the emotional terrain of caregiving and death.

Through my practice, Marigold Path, I now help others prepare for and move through the end-of-life experience. But what I offer may differ from what another doula provides. That’s one of the beautiful things about this field. Every doula brings something unique based on their life experience, training, and heart.

Because of my background, I specialize in:

• Supporting caregivers through the ups and downs of anticipatory grief, decision-making fatigue, and emotional burnout
• Helping families navigate cancer journeys from both a medical systems and emotional support lens
• Facilitating thoughtful conversations about final wishes, medical advocacy, and legacy planning
• Creating personalized celebrations of life that reflect the spirit of the person
• Providing grief coaching for those learning to live in a world that feels forever changed

I’m also trained as a pediatric end-of-life doula, a life coach, and I facilitate workshops focused on emotional legacy, grief coping skills, and life after caregiving. Whether I’m leading a group session or meeting one-on-one, my goal is the same: to bring clarity, calm, and compassion.

Where do Death Doulas fit?

If you’re wondering whether a death doula is something your family needs, you’re not alone. Many people aren’t sure until they experience the difference it makes. Doulas don’t replace medical care—they walk beside it. We offer the time, space, and presence to help people feel seen, heard, and supported.

End-of-life is not just a medical event. It’s a deeply human one. And it deserves the same kind of thoughtful support we give to birth, marriage, and every other life transition.

If you’d like to learn more or talk about how I might support you or someone you love, I invite you to reach out. I’m here to help, whether you’re planning ahead or navigating the moment.

I’m just a phone call or text away: 816-217-0848.