Support For Life's Transitions | End-of-Life Care

At Beacon of Hope, we know that talking about death and planning for the end of life isn’t easy—but it is one of the most loving and important things you can do for yourself and your family. That’s why we offer compassionate education and support to help you feel prepared and at peace.

Through interactive workshops, community events, and personalized guidance, we provide practical tools and resources to support your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being as you plan for your future, engage in meaningful conversations with loved ones, and explore your options for end-of-life care.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about these important topics or looking for support during a challenging time, Beacon of Hope is here to walk alongside you with hope and heart.

Learn More about our workshops, download helpful guides, and connect with our caring team to start your journey toward peace of mind today.

As part of my end-of-life doula service and practice, I deeply value the relationship between religion and spirituality in supporting individuals and families during this profound time. While spirituality may incorporate elements of religion, it is generally a broader concept. Religion and spirituality are not the same thing, nor are they entirely distinct from one another. The best way to understand this is to think of two overlapping circles like this:

In spirituality, the questions are: Where do I personally find meaning, connection, and value?
In religion, the questions are: What is true and right?

Where the circles overlap is the individual experience, which deeply affects the way you think, feel, and behave.

In my role as an end-of-life doula, I honor and support each person’s unique blend of spirituality and religion. This holistic approach helps provide compassionate care that respects personal beliefs, whether rooted in specific religious traditions, broader spiritual seeking, or a combination of both. Understanding this intersection allows me to walk alongside clients with sensitivity, helping them find peace, meaning, and comfort in the end-of-life journey.

Faithful Guidance Every Step of the Way

Rooted in Christian faith and values, Beacon of Hope offers gentle, personalized companionship and advocacy through life’s final chapter and the preparation leading up to it. As a certified End-of-Life doula, I’m dedicated to honoring your story with compassionate emotional, spiritual, and practical care tailored to your unique needs and beliefs.

We provide two connected paths to support:

End-of-Life Doula Care:

Compassionate guidance and presence during the final chapter or as part of proactive advance care planning.

Educational Workshops and Resources:

Trusted tools and community learning experiences to empower you and your loved ones to prepare with confidence and peace.

Begin your care experience with a free, no-obligation Discovery Call.

Lighting the Way with Compassion

About Me

I am a certified End-of-Life Doula grounded in Christian faith, dedicated to walking alongside individuals and families with empathy, respect, and compassionate care during life’s most sacred moments. My journey into this work is deeply personal, shaped by my own experiences with loss and the desire to provide steady support when it matters most.

Guiding You Through Life’s Final Chapter with Compassion

Our Care Services

Alongside education, we provide personalized end-of-life doula support, respite care, and guidance to families walking through life’s final chapter.

End-of-Life Care

At Beacon of Hope, our core services encompass several essential areas, providing holistic support tailored to you and your family’s needs. These may include, but are not limited to, the specific services listed below:

Emotional and Spiritual Support: Active listening, compassionate companionship, emotional processing, spiritual guidance, and support for emotional well-being during this tender time. May assist with arranging pastoral visits, facilitating anointing, singing hymns, or helping create faith-centered memorials.
Practical Assistance: Coordination of care, help with paperwork (with client consent), locating resources, and support with agreed-upon practical tasks to ease daily life.
Family Support: Emotional support for family members, facilitation of communication, and assistance with caregiver support and respite. Collaborates with churches, pastors, and Christian communities to offer support that aligns with client values.
Education and Guidance: Providing information on end-of-life topics, symptom management (in collaboration with medical professionals), advance care planning, and connection to available resources.
Non-medical family caregiver: Services offer personalized support to help individuals remain comfortable, safe, and independent in their own homes—without the need for clinical or nursing tasks. Services are flexible and tailored to your unique needs, and may include:
- Personal Care & Daily Living Assistance
- Household Support
- Companionship & Socialization
- Medication Reminders
- Respite for Family Caregivers
- Pet care assistance
- Organizing mail and calendars
- Home safety checks and wellness monitoring

All services are provided with respect, compassion, and a focus on supporting quality of life at home.

At Beacon of Hope, we believe that everyone deserves compassionate support, no matter their circumstances. Our rates and care packages are thoughtfully designed with transparency and flexibility to fit your unique needs.

Whether you prefer hourly rates, a full care package, or something in between — you can create the plan that works best for you.
Monthly payment plans are available
We offer sliding-scale pricing to ensure care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation
Every service is explained clearly, with empathy and respect

Contact us today to discuss how our gentle care can be personalized to bring comfort and peace to you and your family.

Understanding the Role of an End-of-Life Doula

What is an End-of-Life Doula?

Many people think an end-of-life doula only comes into the picture when someone is actively dying. But at Beacon of Hope, we believe a doula can be the first person you call—often long before hospice is even on the radar.

We help families:

Understand their options beyond the usual medical system
Talk openly about what they truly want, not just what’s offered
Create personalized plans that reflect their values and vision
Feel empowered, hopeful, and supported—not lost or overwhelmed—at the end of life

We are not here instead of hospice care. Rather, we walk alongside you before, during, and after hospice, holding space, asking the hard questions, and providing gentle guidance through life’s most sacred chapter.

If you thought end-of-life doulas only show up when death is imminent… think again.

Have you ever wished someone had helped you navigate an end-of-life experience before it became difficult? What do you wish you had known earlier?

At Beacon of Hope, we believe the most powerful gift we offer at the end of life is presence.

End-of-life doulas provide compassionate, non-medical support that goes beyond clinical care by:

Helping patients feel seen, heard, and emotionally supported
Serving as trusted guides for families—offering education, vigil planning, legacy work, and companionship when every moment matters

Whether you’re a healthcare professional supporting patients or a family member caring for a loved one, an end-of-life doula walks beside you—not to fix, but to hold space with compassion, dignity, and purpose.

Together, let’s continue building bridges between hospice, healthcare, and heart-centered doula care to change the narrative around dying and death.

What exactly is an end-of-life "doula"?

A doula is a trained non-medical companion who provides personalized, compassionate support and guidance to individuals and families during significant life transitions. Originally a term from childbirth care, it now also describes those who assist through the dying process. An end-of-life doula helps people facing terminal illness or life’s end by offering emotional, spiritual, and practical care, advocacy, and comfort, without providing medical treatments. They support clients and loved ones before, during, and after death, and may also assist with advance care planning, legacy work, and grief support. The role emphasizes creating safe, respectful spaces where open conversations about death and dying can happen with dignity and compassion.

What kinds of daily living support are available?

Non-medical home care assistance may include help with personal hygiene, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, medication reminders, and safe mobility. The goal is to ease daily burdens, maintain comfort, and support client independence and well-being.

How do I get started with Beacon of Hope?

Simply reach out by phone, email, or our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation Discovery Call. Together, we’ll discuss your needs, answer questions, and design a care plan that provides comfort and support for you and your family.

What roles does an end-of-life doula play in hospice care?

End-of-life doulas play a vital and complementary role in hospice care by providing non-medical, holistic support focused on the emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of individuals and their families during the dying process. Their roles in hospice care include:

Companionship and Presence: Offering continuous emotional support and companionship, helping patients feel comforted and less isolated as they approach the end of life.
Spiritual and Emotional Guidance: Providing faith-sensitive support and facilitating conversations about fears, wishes, and legacy, addressing spiritual and emotional well-being alongside medical care.
Advance Care Planning Assistance: Helping individuals and families articulate and clarify their end-of-life preferences and values, ensuring these wishes are respected and communicated effectively.
Vigil Support: Being present during the final hours and days, helping to create a peaceful environment, supporting families, and honoring the dying person’s needs and rituals.
Respite for Family Caregivers: Giving family members breaks to rest and recharge while ensuring the patient remains supported and cared for.
Bereavement Support: Assisting loved ones with early grief processing and offering guidance through the initial stages of loss.
Practical Assistance: Helping organize and coordinate non-medical aspects of care, such as legacy projects, household management, and coordination with hospice teams.

End-of-life doulas do not replace medical hospice staff but enrich hospice care by addressing relational, spiritual, and practical dimensions that medical care cannot fully meet. Their presence helps normalize the dying process, enhancing the quality of life and death for patients and families alike.

This collaboration creates a more holistic and compassionate end-of-life experience, complementing the symptom management focus of hospice with personalized, faith-sensitive, and continuous support.

How does integrating doulas improve patient quality of life?

Integrating doulas, including end-of-life doulas, improves patient quality of life by providing continuous, personalized support that reduces stress and anxiety, enhances emotional well-being, and fosters a sense of control and dignity during challenging transitions. Key improvements include:

Emotional Comfort: Doulas offer consistent compassionate presence, helping patients feel less isolated and more supported emotionally.
Stress Reduction: Their support lowers fear, anxiety, and pain perceptions, contributing to greater peace and acceptance.
Improved Communication: Doulas facilitate clear communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers, ensuring patient wishes are heard and respected.
Advocacy and Empowerment: They empower patients in decision-making about their care, increasing feelings of control and autonomy.
Spiritual and Holistic Care: Doulas address spiritual needs and holistic well-being, which enhances overall quality of life beyond just physical health.
Continuity of Care: Their ongoing presence fills gaps between medical interventions and provides support during moments when clinical staff may be unavailable.
Support for Families: By easing caregiver stress and providing guidance, doulas indirectly improve patient comfort and outcomes.

This integrated approach reduces suffering, promotes dignity, and contributes to a more meaningful, peaceful experience for patients facing serious illness or end-of-life transitions.

Do you arrange funerals?

No. Our services as an end-of-life doula focus exclusively on providing compassionate support, guidance, and education for individuals and families during the dying process. Please note that we do not operate as a funeral home, nor do we offer funeral or mortuary services. We do not conduct or arrange funerals, embalming, or body disposition. Our goal is to empower you with information and comfort without providing formal funeral care.

Are you professionally insured for your services?

To ensure the highest standard of care and protection for my clients, I carry professional limited liability insurance. This coverage reflects my commitment to responsible, ethical, and trustworthy end-of-life support, providing added peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

How do you help with emotional and spiritual needs during this time?

Support includes active listening, compassionate presence, and guidance to help process emotions, fears, or regrets. Spiritual care may include facilitating conversations about values, beliefs, legacy, rituals, and helping clients and loved ones find peace, meaning, or closure in accordance with their wishes. Every person’s journey is honored without judgment or expectation.

Do I need to have a specific faith to receive care?

My Christian faith and values are an important part of who I am and deeply inspire why I do this work. However, I will never impose my beliefs on anyone receiving care. At Beacon of Hope, all services are grounded in respect, compassion, and openness to every belief system, background, and spiritual tradition. Care is always tailored to honor each individual’s unique story, needs, and priorities—whether secular, spiritual, or faith-based.

Do you give medication to clients?

No, I do not administer medications. As an end-of-life doula and provider of non-medical home care, my role is to offer compassionate support, companionship, and assistance with daily living tasks, but I do not provide any medical care or medication administration. Medication must be prescribed and managed by licensed healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, or pharmacists. I can assist by offering gentle reminders to take medications as directed, but the actual administration and monitoring of medications is performed by qualified medical staff in accordance with legal and professional regulations.

What training or certifications are required of end-of-life doulas

End-of-life doulas are not required by law to have formal certification or licensing to practice. However, many doulas choose to pursue specialized training and certification from reputable organizations to develop their skills, build confidence, and demonstrate professional commitment.

Common training topics covered include hospice care, palliative medicine basics, emotional and spiritual support, grief counseling, communication skills, legacy planning, and cultural competency around death and dying.

Notable certification programs include:

International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA) Certification — involves training, practical experience, reflective journaling, and continued education over months or a year.
University of Vermont End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate
National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) Proficiency Badge (emerging field credentialing)
Lifespan Doulas Training and Certification

While certification is optional and not legally required, it is considered a valuable investment for credibility, ongoing community support, and skill enhancement. Certification typically requires completion of a recognized training course, practical doula experience, submission of case studies or journals, and sometimes an interview or exam.

No government or medical licensing board currently regulates end-of-life doulas, distinguishing them from licensed medical professionals.

Do you offer Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)?

No, I do not offer Medical Aid in Dying services. This is due to both state laws where MAiD is not permitted and my personal Christian faith, which upholds the sanctity of life and trusts in God's sovereign timing of death. My commitment is to provide compassionate, faith-based support throughout the natural end-of-life journey, honoring life as a sacred gift.

How are care and services provided?

A Model of Care

A model of care describes how compassionate support is delivered, ensuring each individual and family receives timely, respectful care from the right team at exactly the right moment. The doula model centers on walking alongside individuals and families with presence, respect, and gentle guidance.

It is important to clarify that I am not a licensed therapist, counselor, funeral director, or funeral officiant. These roles are outside my scope of work, which focuses on non-medical emotional, spiritual, and practical comfort.

The Six Guiding Principles of Doula Care

Non-Medical Support: Providing comfort and care that complements medical professionals, without performing medical tasks.
Non-Judgmental Support: Honoring each person without personal bias or agenda.
Family-Centered Approach: Supporting the individual and their loved ones, respecting the roles each family member holds.
Holistic Care: Honoring emotional, social, and spiritual aspects alongside physical needs.
Empowerment: Encouraging informed choices and self-determination.
Team Collaboration: Working respectfully alongside healthcare providers and community supports.

Types of Support Provided

Compassionate Presence: Offering steady, calm companionship during uncertain times.
Emotional Support: Listening, gentle touch, and quiet presence.
Sharing Information: Clear, unbiased, and evidence-based information at your pace.
Gentle Guidance: Thoughtful suggestions to empower and prepare.
Connecting to Resources: Referrals to trusted community services and providers.
Comfort and Care: Techniques and nurturing acts to ease body and spirit.
Practical Support: Everyday help such as errands, household assistance, and transportation.

For more about this care approach, visit Patty Brennan’s article: What is the “Doula Model of Care”?

To understand professional boundaries, see the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) Scope of Practice

What kind of experience and qualifications do you have to support families at the end of life?

I bring a combination of formal training, professional memberships, and compassionate experience to support families through the end-of-life journey. I hold a certification from Lifespan Doula, which provides practical, evidence-based care techniques tailored to this deeply personal time. I am also a proud member of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA), connecting me to a national network of professionals committed to ethical, high-standard care. Additionally, I am completing the End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate at the University of Vermont, a respected program affiliated with UVM’s Robert Larner College of Medicine, which deepens my knowledge of grief, spirituality, and culturally sensitive care.

Together, these qualifications ensure that I offer knowledgeable, compassionate, and personalized support to individuals and their families, helping bring peace, dignity, and comfort in life’s final chapter. My commitment is also reflected in maintaining professional limited liability insurance, underscoring my dedication to responsible and trustworthy care.

Bringing Hope, Comfort, and Clarity to Life’s Final Journey

Learn, Prepare, and Find Compassionate Support with Beacon of Hope

Prepare with Hope, Compassion, and Clarity

Education & Support with Care

Spirituality, Religion, and End-of-Life