A Death Doula is a compassionate guide for those approaching life’s final transition. We help you ask the unasked questions, explore lingering regrets, and reconcile with what may come next—whether you believe in an afterlife or in peaceful finality. Grounded in Buddhist wisdom, our approach is one of nonjudgmental presence: we hold space for whatever emotions arise, creating an atmosphere of gentle curiosity and deep listening.

Our work rests on three pillars:

1. Peaceful Acceptance
   We honor death as the next step on your soul’s journey. By embracing impermanence, we cultivate calm and clarity rather than fear.

2. Honesty & Non Judgment
   In keeping with the Eightfold Path’s emphasis on Right Speech and Right View, we commit to truthful, compassionate dialogue—allowing you to express any emotion or transgression without shame.

3. Forgiveness & Reconciliation
   Whether it’s forgiving ourselves or others, we facilitate healing conversations that help release what no longer serves you, so you can move forward with equanimity.

These values ensure that, regardless of your religious or cultural background, you receive care that honors your beliefs and supports your unique path.

We offer personalized, in-person and virtual support to those nearing life’s end. Every engagement begins with a private consultation to understand your spiritual, emotional, and practical needs. Our core services include:

• Life Review & Regret Exploration
  Gentle guided conversations help you reflect on your life, identify unresolved business or regrets, and find ways to make peace—whether through spoken words, letters, or small rituals.

• Legacy Projects
  Create meaningful keepsakes: recorded stories, written letters, photo collages, or art projects that preserve your memory and values for loved ones.

• Advanced Directive Planning
  We walk you through medical, legal, and ethical considerations (living wills, healthcare proxies, do-not-resuscitate orders) so your end-of-life wishes are clear and honored.

After-Death Care Guidance
Detailed guidance on post-death logistics (funeral planning, cremation or burial options, cultural/religious rites) ensures your family can focus on grief and healing rather than paperwork.

Grief and uncertainty ripple through families. Our Death Doula services extend to loved ones at every stage:

1. Pre-Loss Preparation

   • Family Orientation Session: Explain what to expect in the days or weeks ahead—physical changes, emotional fluctuations, and practical steps—so confusion and fear are minimized.

   • Communication Coaching: Techniques for bearing witness compassionately, asking loving questions, and supporting honest conversations.

2. End-of-Life Presence

   • In-Home Support: We join the bedside, offering comfort, tears, or silence—wherever your family needs us.

   • Sibling and Child Guidance: Age-appropriate conversations about death, with gentle tools for children and teens to express feelings without confusion or guilt.

3. Post-Loss Care

   • Grief Circle Facilitation: A safe, held space (in-person or virtual) where family and friends can share memories, process pain, and begin to heal.

   • Practical Aftercare Checklist: Step-by-step list to assist with notifying agencies, closing accounts, and organizing estate matters—so logistical burdens don’t overshadow mourning.

Ongoing Check-Ins: Support calls or visits for the first three months, helping to normalize grief and prevent isolation.

We adhere to the Eightfold Path’s principles of honesty and compassion, ensuring our guidance never oversteps into coercion or promise-making. We do not provide medical or psychiatric treatment; instead, we collaborate with healthcare providers, hospice teams, and licensed therapists as needed.

While Rad-Rich Sanctuary primarily offers stand-alone Death Doula services, we welcome partnerships with:

• Local hospices or palliative care centers for seamless transitions.

• Licensed counselors or chaplains specializing in grief therapy.

• Funeral homes and celebrants to honor diverse cultural and religious rites.

To ensure everyone feels supported from the start, we recommend the following preparation steps:

• Intake Conversation (30–60 min

  • Discuss medical condition, spiritual beliefs, and family dynamics.

  • Collect basic logistics (location, dietary restrictions, cultural customs).

  • Identify immediate anxieties, regrets, or unspoken wishes.

• “Guidebook to Peace” Packet

  • A simple printed or digital booklet covering:

    • Mindful breathing techniques and short meditations for caregivers

    • A “Regret Journal” with prompts (e.g., “What would you tell your younger self?”)

    • Basic checklist for advanced directives and legal forms

    • Short reading on Buddhist views of impermanence and compassion

• Family Orientation Workshop (1–1.5 hours)

  • A small gathering with the family to review:

    • What to expect in the final phase (physical, emotional, spiritual)

    • How to communicate effectively with the dying loved one

    • Cultural and religious considerations unique to your family

• Home Visit or Virtual “Tour”

  • Assess the physical space: identify a quiet corner for meditation or rituals, ensure seating is comfortable, recommend small changes (soft lighting, simple altar, fresh flowers).

Rad-Rich Sanctuary also provides ongoing learning opportunities to deepen understanding of death, dying, and mindful living:

• Annual Memorial Day Gathering - An outdoor or community hall event each spring where families bring photos, letters, or mementos; light candles, share stories; and join in a group compassion meditation. This open-to-all event fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support.
  

• Online Resource Library - A password-protected section of our website (Coming Soon!) offering:

  • Short videos on Buddhist death meditations (e.g., “Reflecting on Impermanence”)

  • Printable worksheets (regret reflection, advance directive checklist)

  • Recommended reading list (Buddhist texts, modern grief literature)

  • Guided audio meditations for caregivers and the dying