Threshold Tending ✷ Death & Grief Work
My deepest calling has been to work with the dying and bereaved. I have completed End of Life Doula training for both Adult and Pediatric clients from the University of Vermont's School of Medicine in partnership with Osher Integrative Health. I have also gone on to complete certification also at UOV as a Grief and Bereavement Specialist.
What is an End-of-Life Doula (EOLD)?
Though they do not provide medical assistance, EOLDs often complement hospice services by providing emotional, physical, and spiritual support. Such support can include educating individuals and family members about the dying process, assisting with obituaries and funeral planning, providing grief counseling or companionship after someone has died, and sitting vigil as an individual is dying.
End-of-life doulas can also work with individuals and families who may need assistance in talking about death. For example, healthy and “non-terminal” individuals can work with end-of-life doulas to assist with their fears about death. Additionally, end-of-life doulas can offer support to individuals and families navigating the grief and loss of a pet. Such support can include sharing stories about the pet, deciding on a resting place for the pet, and creating a memorial or way to honor the pet.
My training and certifications follow the NEDA (National End of Life Doula Alliance) established Standards of Practice and Code of Conduct Guidelines for ethical and professional end-of-life doula practice.
How do I get started?
The first step is to schedule a virtual consult where we can review my offerings and I can answer any questions you might have. We will map out a plan that best aligns with your care needs.
Unfortunately, insurance typically does not cover EOLD service fees; however, my offerings are bundled into three different base packages, each with their own sliding fee scale based on income and needs assessment. I also offer additional a-la-cart services that can be added on as needed. Payment plans are also available as I want to make this process as easy as possible.
Bundle 1: End of Life Planning (up to 10 scheduled hours)
Topics that may be covered include:
Creating a vision map of how you want to spend your last months, weeks and hours of life.
We will explore legal documents to include advance directives.
We will determine how you want to best be cared for to include details like location, visiting hours, likes and dislikes, and how you prefer to communicate the timeline of events with family & friends.
We will plan your funeral/celebration of life.
Work to create a legacy project, preserving your stories and memories in a way that honors your life and gives it purpose.
Sliding Fee Scale
Top Tier - $580 retainer
Middle Tier - $480 retainer
Low Tier - $380 retainer
Bundle 2: End of Life Support Visits (up to 40 scheduled hours, 90 day term)
Services may include any of the following:
Mediacy and advocacy so that the wishes of the dying are honored.
Carrying out the vision map of care during the last months, weeks, days of life.
Creating sacred space for the dying, to include ceremony, rituals, aromatherapy, sound bath, comforting touch therapy, art therapy, therapy pet visits, etc.
Respite for caregiver(s)
Emotional support for the dying and their loved ones.
Bedside presence and vigil planning.
Grief and bereavement support.
Sliding Fee Scale:
Top Tier - $2320
Middle Tier - $1920
Low Tier - $1520
Bundle 3: Comprehensive Care Package (55 hours total, 90 day term)
Services offered:
Combination of EOLD Planning and Support Visits (50 hours)
Additional hours to help support loved ones through grief and bereavement processing at no additional charge (5 hour limit, 30 day term following the death)
Sliding Fee Scale:
Top Tier - $2900
Middle Tier - $2400
Low Tier - $1900
Additional Services
Home Funeral & Green Burial Education/Planning - $58/hour via Zoom, $85/hour in person.
Officiating Funeral/Celebration of Life/Memorial - $333 ( 3 hour maximum) + cost of travel if greater than 30 miles from Davidson County, Nashville, TN.
Pets - $38/hour for consult(s) and planning via Zoom, $85/hour support visit and/or officiating celebration of life/funeral/ceremony
If additional planning or support hours are needed outside of what is allowed in a bundled agreement, you can reach out to Dasha to discuss a reduced rate for add on hours.
Please visit the Courses & Events page to register for my free community circle held the third Sunday of each month - “Pushing up Daisies.”