Harrisburg, PA

Caspar David Friedreich's "The Cemetery" which depicts a figure standing outside the gate of a wooded cemetery.

Doula Services

A guide looking ahead.
A companion at the threshold.
A caretaker to stay behind.

What is a death doula?

In our culture, the one thing that unites us all can be the hardest thing to face. Death doulas are guides, companions, and caretakers who help you and your loved ones prepare for and labor through the end of life. Whether you’re healthy and looking for the peace of mind that comes with advance planning or you’re living with a terminal diagnosis or even a recent loss, a death doula can be a grounding, loving presence on your path. Our job is to gently but firmly hold space for the things that matter most to our clients.

Death doula services may be helpful for you in a variety of situations. All of these areas are important to me and important to the process of living and dying, but they may not all be relevant to you. I am not a full-time doula, so if our schedules don’t align, I’m happy to help you find someone else who is a good fit for you. To get the conversation going, let’s schedule a chat or start with an email.

Why Doorkeeper?

In the early Christian church, porters – or doorkeepers – were charged with keeping watch over the entrance to the temple or worship space. Masters of the liminal, they protected the threshold between the sacred and the bustle of daily life. In my Gnostic faith, this role continues in minor orders and is associated with Archangel Uriel, North, and the element of earth. Our mass invokes this “Divine Companion,” saying, “As you stand guarding the gates of paradise, so do we call upon you to guide us at our last through the portal of that undiscovered country from which no traveler returns.” It is with this figure that I resonate in my efforts to hold space for the hard, sacred, and important work this side of the veil.

End of Life

If you or a loved one of any age have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, you may want someone who knows about the dying process to be with you. This may include helping you to know what happens, what decisions need to be made, and what questions are helpful to guide those processes. It may also include facilitating end-of-life wishes and after death memorials. It may just be that you want someone to be physically and lovingly present in your final hours and those that follow. As a doula, I can provide:

  • Bedside companionship
  • Family support
  • Vigil sitting
  • Legacy planning (preparing letters, videos, gifts, and more to leave behind; helping to craft eulogies and obituaries; planning memorials and living wakes, etc.)
  • Disposition planning
  • Guidance about the death process
  • Connections to other professionals when appropriate (mental health care, bereavement support, hospice, funeral homes, etc.)
  • Anything in the advance planning section below

Advance Planning

It’s a good idea for any adult to consider doing at least a little planning for their death or scenarios in which they are medically compromised and unable to self-advocate. This can give you so much peace of mind and help your loved ones understand your values in a time of crisis. I am not a lawyer or a medical professional, but I do know the ropes on creating a living will, and I can refer you to the right people if things get complicated. Doula services for those who are not currently facing the end of life include:

  • Helping to complete living wills (medical directives and preferences, etc.)
  • Organizational tasks (compiling important information like accounts, passwords, legal documents, etc.)
  • Basic legacy work (putting together items, photos, or messages that you know you want to pass on to people in the future)

How much does it cost?

In order to be fully available for bedside clients, I am only able to take one companion client in a given month. I am also committed to offering pro-bono services quarterly to clients experiencing a sudden loss. Clients experiencing financial hardship can inquire about sliding scale prices.

Costs will vary depending on your needs, but here are three sample packages and their prices:

  • The Map – $750

    This package is for adults of any age who are not dealing with a terminal diagnosis. It involves creating a binder and facilitating discussions with appropriate parties about:
    • Living will
    • Organizational tasks
    • Disposition planning
    • Basic legacy work

  • The Storyteller – $1,500

    This package is for someone who is focused on leaving a legacy behind. It tells a story and prioritizes the connections we make in life and articulating love, memories, and values through goodbyes.
    • Writing and editing services (obituary, memories, life story, etc.)
    • Videos
    • Photo work
    • Gift preparation
    • Music
    • Event planning (living wake, memorial, etc.)

  • The Traveling Companion – $3,000

    This package is for people who are dying. (If someone you know is dying alone or you are caring for someone who is non-verbal and would like support, this may also be appropriate.) In addition to the services below, it essentially puts the doula “on retainer” for a monthly fee in order to be there with frequency and at bedside in times of need, including at the end.
    • Advance planning as needed
    • Bedside companionship
    • Sitting vigil
    • Legacy planning and conducting
    • After death support
    • Support for family and/or surviving loved ones