Gertie, EOL doula, death midwife
Gertie, EOL doula, death midwife
As a doula , I can not make death go away but I can help you to be it the best death you can picture for yourself or a loved one., by providing emotional, practical and spiritual and holistic support for you and your loved one. By being better informed and prepared you can make better decisions. It will empower you and your loved ones to be in charge of how that end of life, no matter if we are talking about months or days, might look like.
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My Story
All About Gertie, EOL doula, death midwife
After being a volunteer for 17 years with the local hospice residence I trained in the summer of 2022 with different institutes to become an EOL doula or death midwife . I saw firsthand many times in those 17 years that there was a need to fill the gab between the medical field and the funeral home. As we look at how much time and effort we put into preparing for a birth after we find put that we are pregnant, just image how different end of life could look if we put the same time and effort in preparing for the end of life. 100 years back most people would die at home and the viewing would be at home , with Neighbours and families of all ages surrounding the dying and their family with love and care. Death was a natural part of life. Over the years death and everything that has to do with it has more and more moved away from the house setting. When we are faced with a terminal illness and death, we are lost, scared and don't know what to do and how to help.I would love to be your guide in helping you sorting out your wishes and options.
Some of the service that I offer are
-explaining and helping you fill out the 6 essential documents we all should have. This can be a family meeting .
-educate about options and help you plan the funeral and arrangements
-help start or finish your legacy project or find someone who can help with that.
-provide you with tools so that children can be involved at their own level
-organize the sometimes-overwhelming help that neighbors, friends and family offer
-sit with you, hold your hand, listen and hold space for you
-provide caregivers with tools for selfcare
-help with unfinished business
-stop in and check up on you, make sure all needs are met by appointment or when you ask for me to step in
-keep vigil
-guide close family during a ritual washing of the face, arms and feet after death as a way to honor and say goodby in the private space of your home , hospital room or hospice residence before the funeral home takes over.
-other personal wishes /needs you might have.
- I always work closely together with your doctor, hospice and others that are part of your team
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The first phone consultation (20-30 min) is free. During that call we talk about what you need, how I can help with that and how the pricing works
After that I will work with you at your home or hospital/hospice. During my first visit you sign a contract that outlines the service, time commitment and fees so that it is clear from the start what you can expect from me and what I ask from you.
Please call or email me with questions or to set up a phone consultation .
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