Holly Menard
End of Life Doula
Your Companion & Guide
in Navigating End of Life
What is an End of Life Doula?
An End of Life Doula, or Death Doula, is a trained non-medical, holistic practitioner who guides individuals and their families in navigating the death and dying process through presence, companionship, education, and advocacy.
Our purpose is to create a safe, non-judgmental space for you. We support you in becoming your own advocate and empower you to make your wishes and desires to be known, honored, and respected.
Why Choose an End of Life Doula?
Our present healthcare system seldom allows time for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to address their patient’s need to be fully listened to and heard. Doulas have time to listen for what matters. How do you wish to live out your life and what are your priorities?
Many doctors have not received specific training to have difficult conversations when their patient’s condition is terminal, and there is no further treatment to cure, that will improve quality of life. They aren’t prepared to sit with compassion and together, often with a family member, to discuss priorities and what makes life meaningful.
Doulas have time and are non-medical yet professionally trained to listen deeply and be a steady, safe space, to fill in the gaps, and provide support and continuity in planning and preparing. Doulas are a complement to the healthcare team, to hospice care. We provide resources.Many doulas are also nurses, hospice care workers, or volunteers.
Starting the conversation about death and dying isn't easy. Doulas understand that and are experienced in empowering people to make informed decisions, ask for what they desire. This is the desired outcome and requires planning and preparing as early as possible. Living fully and dying prepared is possible.: Everyone deserves to die well, gracefully snd peacefully. This is our vision for everyone.
How I Help
I offer you the compassionate, non-medical, personal care you deserve at end of life. Often my clients are primary caregives. My purpose is to be present, to create a safe and calm space for you, your primary caregiver and family. I offer the added care to make the last months, days and hours comfortable, peaceful, and meaning-full. I collaborate with healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.
Companionship
I offer time, personal attention, and listen deeply with compassion and without judgment for what matters most to you. I provide respite and may accompany you to visits with your healthcare providers. I will walk with you in your grief and sit by you when you are transitioning from this life When requested, I will visit you in your home, hospital or facility. I also offer virtual support
Emotional &
Spiritual Support
I offer you a safe space, listen deeply, and ask open-ended questions. Wherever you are on your journey, I will meet you without judgment or expectation. I offer comfort measures such as breath-work, meditation, Reiki,gentle massage or simply a quiet presence.
Advocacy
I support you in becoming your own advocate, empower you to initiate hard conversations with your family, to resolve conflicts. I'm be by your side as you plan and prepare the way - your way.You'll learn to give informed consent regarding further
medical care, choices in end-of-life and after death care.
Legacy
How do you want to be remembered? There are legacy projects to capture and memorialize your life story. Together we will review all possibilities. You decide according to what speaks to you. We can work on it together, or I'll provide guidance.
Planning
I assist you and your family with the multitude of tasks associated with end- of- life.There are forms including Advanced Directives that will help you control your end of life medical care, honoring your wishes
and values when you are no longer able to speak for yourself.
Holding a
Sacred Space
There are times when words and doing-ness are not needed. Silence may be what is called for, or meditation, being read to, music, energy work, essential oils.
I provide a safe, steady presence for you to simply be, to experience whatever rises up.
Testimonials
This illness caught me by surprise. It's been really helpful for me psychologically to talk to Holly about my death. She's helped me stay open during the process.
Holly helped me with grace because I can grieve for the person who's not going to go on with their plans.
As you grieve you cry you get it together and cry again. It's just like music, you feel all the notes.
Maria H., Durham, NC
Holly provided the deep type of soul care that my Mom and I both needed.
Fiona K., Apex, NC
In early 2023 my husband became very ill from a fatal diagnosis. Holly Menard asked if she could be of support to him by having some conversations about his illness and the path forward. He did not want help from anyone other than me. This began a year-long process where Holly offered support to me as I supported my husband. In a sense, she was coaching me on how to be his end-of-life doula. There were many moments where her insight lifted my spirits and indirectly eased my husband's passage. Holly is a wonderful resource
for those who need support during life's final stages.
Dona M, Durham, NC
My goal, whenever possible, is for my clients to live a rich, full, meaningful life up till the last breath, where they want
to be and with those they love.
~ Holly Menard
