Death Midwife Services
In July of 2001, my husband lost his battle with cancer. In the weeks before his death, I tended to his body and his soul as best I could. In those days, it was abundantly clear to me that I was acting as a midwife, as his soul was being birthed into its next journey. I understood that my role was not to extend his life, but to bless it. I was not meant to help him heal his body, but rather to be complete with it, so that he could move on to wherever his spirit was going. This was the Alchemy of Untethering, Anointing and Blessing. The experience was simultaneously heart wrenching, and profoundly life changing. In time, I knew that, in some way, at some time, I would be called on to do this with others.
In September 2021, I answered the call, and completed the Death Midwife Certification Class offered by The Death Midwife.
What is a Death Midwife?
A Death Midwife is someone who is trained to help you navigate the journey of death and loss that we all face as living beings. Death Midwives receive training in order to provide supportive and compassionate care to the dying person and their loved ones. Along with practical knowledge and skills for navigating the territory of death and dying, Death Midwives bring emotional and spiritual wisdom, all of which we offer to help guide you through this life passage.
As you, or a loved one face into the final rite of passage, I can offer you practical support, and the full breadth of my training in emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Alternatively, if you are completely well, but want guidance in end of life planning, or a companion in your exploration of your own mortality, I can walk with you through these important steps of your life.
Please note that I am neither medically trained, nor am I a funeral director. My Death Midwife training enables me to provide you with information, advocacy, and assistance. This is meant to assist you in caring for yourself, or your own dying loved one, in whatever ways you wish, within the laws of your state. I can offer tools and materials to empower you to make decisions on how to navigate the established systems around death, dying and final disposition. These systems are typically impersonal and confusing, and frequently disempowering. The Death Midwife mission is “to provide holistic, non-medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support for the dying and their families.”
Details
I offer a range of Death Midwife services, including (but not limited to):
- Practical guidance about end of life documents, and body disposition laws and options
- Emotional and spiritual support and guidance
- Meaningful and creative ways to honor the powerful transition of death and the body of the deceased
- Vigils (subject to availability)
- Funeral services
Rates range from $50-$100/hr, depending on which services are desired. Please contact me for pricing, or to set up an initial consultation.