end of life doula

You’ve heard of a Birth Doula…?  Doula is a Greek work that means to serve.  In 2015 and 2016 I trained with Henry Fersko-Weiss who is a Social Worker and a Buddhist who founded the International End of Life Doula Association (inelda.org).  Their non-profit mission is to train and foster end of life doulas in hospices, hospitals, communities, and directly to people in their own homes who are in transition through the service of private practice.

Being an End of Life Doula is a non-medical position, although we do receive hospice training and stay compliant with most hospice practices.   Both Sue & Mickey have trained and volunteered with the Danbury Regional Hospice in Danbury, CT.  Sue received her certification with INELDA and Mickey received his with DoulaGivers Institute.

We offer a wide variety of services and typically serve as a coach for the one transitioning, and/or for the family members who are present and involved.  We consult on all aspects of death and dying, planning ahead, helping to create a “Good Grief” file that would include advanced directives and The Five Wishes, reviewing plans, holding vigil, journeying alongside, relieving the care giver, offering calming Reiki energy (Sue is a Reiki Master and LaHoChi & Sound Practitioner).  We can also help with legacy projects, recommendations for honoring, alternative burials, funeral and ceremonial services.  Sue is ordained in the Order of Malchizedek, and performs ceremonies in the Southwest Connecticut area.  Honoring a loved one is a sacred matter, it always helps to share, and to heal together.  

We meet people where they are, we honor each individual, and respect all walks of the life someone has lived.  It is a sacred time for all – this honoring of a life lived – without judgment.  It can be a healing time without chaos, if planned ahead thoughtfully.  Between Sue & Mickey’s training and experience they can offer consultation and coverage for the practical, the paperwork, the energetic, and the spiritual aspects of transition.

Please see below for our offerings, and how we ask for the exchange to do what we do to the fullest extent of our abilities.  Blessings and Love to you.

Consultation with End of Life Doulas Sue Broudy or Mickey Nelson

We are here to support someone in transition, or to help you plan ahead for the inevitable event of your own death. We also coach the families and caregivers who are helping a loved one transition. We work alongside Hospice, but are private coaches and do not accept Medicare/Medicaid, and do not provide medical advice.

Our expectations are as follows:

  • Our first interaction is usually a phone call of about 20 minutes to determine what you or your family’s needs are
  • We coach and consult for the practical, emotional and spiritual aspects of death and dying, and even though we understand and observe physical symptoms and consult with Hospice nurses and doctors, we leave the medical aspect of administration to the medically trained

Our services include:

  • Planning ahead for your own death or the death of someone you love
  • Paperwork i.e., POA, MOLST, Advanced Directives, The Five Wishes, “Good Grief” Files
  • Vigil Planning, written and witnessed
  • Legacy work (ideas for honoring, filming, interviews, memory books)
  • Vigil Sitting
  • Caregiver relief, where possible
  • End of Life advice and help
  • Reiki Energy for calm sessions
  • Sound Healing & Frequency help for clearing
  • Green Burials planning and advice
  • Bedside music and singing
  • Ceremonial Services

Our suggested fees are:

  • $75.00 an hour for Consultations and all planning services, allow two hours first time
  • Reiki, LaHoChi, and Sound services are $125 per session for one hour
  • On-site vigil hours are billed at $50.00 hour, 4-hour maximum time within 24 hours
  • Ceremonial Services are one-time fee and agreed upon ahead of time based on travel and wishes

(if you need a sliding scale, that is available, just ask)

We are honored to walk with you through this special time in life to offer you exactly the support you need. With Love & Gratitude, Sue & Mickey

suebroudy@gmail.com and dyingtoknow47@yahoo.com

“You have to learn how to do everything, even how to die.” --Gertrude Stein