Working and training as an end-of-life doula places one intimately alongside life's greatest mysteries—the thin veil separating living from dying. This veil fascinates me deeply; we joyously welcome new life into the world, yet we often fear or mourn the departure of a well-lived life from this earthly existence. Our reactions, perhaps, are shaped by personal maturity and religious or spiritual beliefs, which greatly influence how we navigate this delicate transition. Photo f
Death doulas and their services are an underrepresented field in our health care system. They bridge the gap between individuals and medical professionals, offering continuity of care, personalized attention, respite for families, and education. As Ontario expands access to palliative care and hospice services, communities have an opportunity to think broadly about what quality end-of-life care truly means. Photo from Wix. Many families find themselves longing for deeper, m
We create altars and shrines in public spaces, in places of worship, in our own private spaces or at specific sites where a death or tragedy occurred. When I think about creating an altar, I take inspiration from the words of Karla Helbert, which tell us that altars are significant to healing grief: altars are external representations of interior mysteries…and ways of showing in tangible form what might be happening in our hearts and spirits. Creating altars gives us opportun
