FOR THE CURIOUS…

The word “doula” is an old one with roots meaning “servant” and in more negative contexts, “slave.” In modern understanding, a doula is a “guide” or a “coach,” so I call myself both a Life Coach and End of Life Coach.

As an End of Life Coach, I provide companionship, comfort, emotional/spiritual, and practical guidance to those facing a terminal illness or death. While I do provide physiological death education, my support is non-medical. The support offered is focused on helping the dying person and the loved ones make compassionate and wise decisions for end of life and beyond.

I invite you to visit the “About” page to learn more.

I invite you to visit the “About” page to learn more.

I invite you to visit these informative sites to learn more about how having an End of Life Coach (doula) can compliment and enhance hospice care for the dying person and their loved ones.

• “Understanding the Role of End-of-Life Doulas in Hospice”

• “What’s an End-of-Life Doula & How Can They Help Hospice Patients?”

• “What is a Doula?”

I invite you to visit the “Benefits of End of Life Coaching” page to learn more.

- Vigil Plan -

• Many individuals do not want to die alone and/or have strong ideas about what they may want in their final weeks, days, and hours.

• To honor these wishes, a vigil plan can be developed and communicated to responsible loved ones.

• This plan may specify who may be present, where they wish to die, and outline additional environmental and ritualistic wishes.

• Ensuring the comfort of the dying person is a primary goal.

• “Sitting vigil” with a dying loved one is a way to show support and love during the active dying phase.

• You or your loved one may be sedated (for pain and calm (or unconscious) at this time in the process.

• For some, religious or spiritual traditions will require certain rituals take place.

• The time frame necessary for a vigil varies and can be unpredictable. As such, caretakers may need help or breaks, especially if they are have a desire to ensure their loved one is accompanied at all times.

- Reprocessing Session-

• Following death, members of the dying person’s circle of care may require one or more sessions to “reprocess” their loved one’s death.

• Such sessions are designed to help survivors clear any regrets or unfinished business AND to make meaning, move through the grieving process, find closure, and reemerge into life.

As a coach, I often help my clients access resources and find myself in perpetual research.  I maintain an ongoing library of resources. As a Life Coach, I can provide a list of attorneys, financial planners, mediators, and more. As an End of Life Coach, I am able to provide lists of financial planners, estate attorneys, funeral homes, natural burial sites, event spaces, memorial project vendors, planning tools, and more. Of course, it will always be your decision about which resources prove most appropriate for you.

Most often, I offer virtual life coaching sessions for your convenience. The virtual format allows me to offer coaching no matter where someone lives. Should you have a strong preference about in-person coaching, and you live in Charleston, SC, we can discuss the possibility of creative location options.

End of life coaching sessions can be virtual or in-person in your home (if you live in the Charleston, SC region and should travel not be prohibitive).  Vigil support is only available in person and only available to those who live in the Charleston, SC region.

All discovery calls are virtual.

During our 30-minute discovery call, you will have an opportunity to share about your goals for Life Coaching or End of Life Coaching, and to determine whether we are a great fit.

We will also review pricing, packages, and whether building something custom is most appropriate for your needs.

Generally speaking, all coaching engagements involve an intake, a block of sessions, and then add on elements as needed.

Unfortunately, neither life coaching nor end of life coaching (doula services) is covered by insurance at this time.

Most definitely.  I delight in helping our community raise its awareness about living and dying well!

I am available to speak to your business, civic, faith, or social group on a range of wellness topics.

As a former educator and seasoned presenter, I am able to tailor my content to a wide array of audiences and timeframes.

Most often, groups invite me to “unpack” death, dying, and preparation for both.

Feel free to visit “Contact Merridith” with your ideas, and we will see what we can make happen together.