Holly Menard
End of Life Doula
Your Companion & Guide
in Navigating End of Life
What is an End of Life Doula?
An End of Life Doula, or Death Doula, is a trained non-medical, holistic practitioner who guides individuals and their families through the death and dying process through presence, companionship, education, and advocacy.
Our purpose is to create a safe, non-judgmental space for you. We support you in becoming your own advocate and empower you to make your wishes and desires to be known, honored, and respected.
Why Choose an End of Life Doula?
Our present healthcare system does not allow time for doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers to address their patient’s need to be fully listened to and heard.
Doctors have not received specific training to have difficult conversations when their patient’s condition is terminal, and there is no further treatment to cure or improve quality of life. They aren’t prepared to sit with compassion and together, perhaps with a primary caregiver, to discuss what comes next.
Doulas have time and are non-medical yet professionally trained to listen deeply and be a steady, safe space, to fill in the gaps, and at times serve as project managers. Doulas are a complement to hospice care. Many doulas are also either nurses, hospice care workers, or volunteers.
Companionship
I offer time, personal attention, and listen deeply with compassion and without judgment for what matters most to you. When possible, I will visit you in your home, hospital or facility.
Emotional &
Spiritual Support
I offer you a safe space, listen deeply, and ask questions. Wherever you are in your experience, I will meet you without judgment or expectation. I offer comfort measures such as breath-work, meditation, or a quiet presence.
Advocacy
I will support you in becoming your own advocate so you can prepare the way - your way - through informed consent regarding further
medical care.
Legacy
How do you want to be remembered? There are legacy projects to capture and memorialize your life story. Together we will review all possibilities. You decide according to what speaks to you. We can work on it together, or I'll provide guidance.
Planning
I will assist you and your family with the multitude of tasks associated with end of life. There are forms such as Advanced Directives that will help you control your end of life medical care, honoring your wishes
and values when you are no longer able to speak for yourself.
Holding a
Sacred Space
There are times when words and doing-ness are not needed. Silence may be what is called for, and that can seem uncomfortable.
I provide a safe, steady presence for you to experience whatever rises up.
Testimonials
This illness caught me by surprise. It's been really helpful for me psychologically to talk to Holly about my death. She's helped me stay open during the process.
Holly helped me with grace because I can grieve for the person who's not going to go on with their plans.
As you grieve you cry you get it together and cry again. It's just like music, you feel all the notes.
Maria H., Durham, NC
Holly provided the deep type of soul care that my Mom and I both needed.
Fiona K., Apex, NC
In early 2023 my husband became very ill from a fatal diagnosis. Holly Menard asked if she could be of support to him by having some conversations about his illness and the path forward. He did not want help from anyone other than me. This began a year-long process where Holly offered support to me as I supported my husband. In a sense, she was coaching me on how to be his end-of-life doula. There were many moments where her insight lifted my spirits and indirectly eased my husband's passage. Holly is a wonderful resource
for those who need support during life's final stages.
Dona M, Durham, NC
My goal, whenever possible, is for my clients to live a rich, full, meaningful life up till the last breath, where they want
to be and with those they love.
~ Holly Menard
