A song for passing - compassionate support for life’s last chapter
End of life care & death doula consults
I offer my guidance, provide a comforting presence, and empower you to make informed choices during your transition through life, on your health journey, or at the end-of-life. Individuals and families are unique. I offer custom-tailored death doula and grief support for you, whether you are at the end-of-life, or are a loved one/caregiver of a dying person.
I serve to support you in a way where together, we can meet death consciously, with beauty and dignity.
I offer in-person sessions in Nanaimo, central Vancouver Island, as well as, virtual sessions across Canada (North America).
What is an end of life doula?
End-of-life or “death doulas” are holistic practitioners that provide non-medical, emotional, psycho-spiritual, and practical support before, during, and after death. They empower clients in their decision-making by providing guidance, resources, education, and facilitation, which supports the process of dying consciously.
Why work with a death doula?
At the time of death, a death doula provides a helping hand to support you in many ways, including:
Psychospiritual & emotional support - active listening, companionship, holding a safe, sacred space to address spiritual matters;
Communication - acting as a liaison with health teams to clarify honour and wishes; facilitation of courageous conversations; assistance with family gatherings and navigation of family dynamics;
Practical support – assisting in form-filling and documentation; creation of wish/bucket lists; respite care; end-of-life planning; and vigil, ritual or ceremony design;
Education and empowerment – help in navigating the healthcare system; demystifying stages or process of dying and death; self-care and other non-medical interventions; and grief and bereavement support.
Let’s radically and collectively change how we die.
Current research in Canada has found that certain marginalized and immigrant populations are more likely to receive aggressive end-of-life care, have limited knowledge of palliative care, or advanced care planning, and experience challenges accessing culturally safe palliative care. These inequalities stem from power imbalances that are inherent in our healthcare system and require identifying and changing the structures, policies, and practices that perpetuate racism, discrimination, and lack of cultural safety. We all have the responsibility to advocate for the needs of diverse patients and their loved ones as they navigate serious illness and end-of-life.
Bulle et al. (2023) in Current Oncology 30(9):7920-7925
I’m Gita
I’m trained as a biologist/ecologist (PhD), clinical herbalist, and end-of-life doula. I came to this work through managing my own grief, after navigating family deaths, suicides (or attempts) of loved ones, and wanting to see more meaningful and personalized care around death and dying. I’m open to philosophically discussions about death and those within the context of dying under the modern healthcare system. I would be honoured to support you during this meaningful and transformational transition.
Services I offer
My approach is non-judgmental, client-focused, culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed, and custom-tailored to you, your family or caregiver’s needs. I offer non-medical support, except for the use of plant medicines in my capacity as a trained clinical herbalist. Your needs may be diverse. If you don’t see what you need listed, then I encourage you to book a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your specific needs.
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“95% of ICU patients cannot communicate”.
Whether you are mentally and physically healthy or facing a serious illness, an advanced care plan (ACP), advanced heathcare directive (AHCD), or enduring power of attorney ensures that your wishes are documented, and that a decision maker on your behalf is identified. Advanced care plans are used to plan your future healthcare in case of mental or physical incapacity to make decisions. It helps assign a substitute person who can act on your behalf and in your best interest. I can support you with the paperwork and in documenting your wishes for pre-death (in case of incapacity) and post-mortem. An advanced care plan will help reduce the stress of decision making (for others), and miscommunication of your wishes, while protecting your dignity and memory.
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Compassionate end-of-life care takes many forms. I can support you with consciously preparing for your death including: creating a legacy project; preparing a last will and testament (and choosing an executor); enduring power of attorney; documentation of wishes (for pre-death care and postmortem); notifications of expected death in the home (EDITH) process; application for medical assistance in dying (MAiD); forms for body or organ donation programs; navigation of family dynamics; forms for compassionate/caregiver leaves; no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (No CPR) forms; help with funeral planning and burial arrangements; guidance on types of burials including green burials; facilitation of vigils, ceremonies, cultural rituals, and memorials. These are just a few items that I can help you with, others can be discussed.
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I can act as a respite provider for caregivers. I offer emotional and practical support including non-medical bedside care and companionship for the dying (we can play cards, chat, or take walks); running short-errands; and helping with household management. This includes being present in the final days or hours of a person.
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I offer alternative solutions for palliative care symptom management, including support with anxiety/fear around death, or pain management, using a variety of non-medical interventions. These may include herbal/plant medicines, art, nature-based or spiritual practices such as mindful meditation and breathwork, or the use of legal psychedelic (psilocybin) assisted therapy.
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Medical assistance in dying is legal in Canada. In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada decided that it would no longer be a criminal offence in Canada for a physician to help someone end their life in certain circumstances.
I offer resources and guidance for individuals and families exploring or preparing for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). I can help you navigate the application process, or consider possible alternative forms of palliative care, such as legal psychedelic (psilocybin) assisted therapies ( the Health Canada Special Access Program (SAP)).
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Vigils allow a time for slowing down and appreciating a dying or deceased loved one. They help with transitions, bring about grieving, and signify a sacred moment. I can aid with designing, planning and implementing bedside vigils during the active phase of dying, post-death vigils, funerals, ceremonies, rituals, and memorials. I will support you by being culturally-informed and culturally sensitive.
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Grief has no timeline, it may resurface months to years after the loss of a loved one. If you are processing grief and pain following the loss of a loved one (no matter how long ago), I offer a heart-centred, grounded, and safe space to talk, feel, or sit and just be. I can help you develop a grief/crisis plan or plan for self-care. In addition, I can provide educational resources, including psycho-spiritual tools for managing grief. Grief can negatively affect your mental-physical self and body. I also offer herbal/plant medicine support for grief, and anxiety as a clinical herbalist.
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COMING SOON, LATE SPRING 2026.
Not all deaths are physical in nature. The living may also experience psycho-spiritual crises resulting in confusion or shifts in consciousness during life due to abuse, injury, traumas (including PTSD and intergenerational), or through the process of healing. I can support you by facilitating a sacred, psychedelic plant medicine journey. Such journeys may help address lifelong struggles with anxiety, depression, addiction, body image, destructive behaviours, or anxiety/fear around death and dying. There is growing clinical evidence in support of the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies. As a TheraPsil-trained practitioner, I provide support through a three-fold protocol of preparation, journey facilitation, and integration. Please check back on availability or inquire within for more information. Currently, legal psilocybin (psychedelic) assisted therapy is available for some through Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP). This may be an option for those considering MAiD.
explorE the POssibilities
If you’re interested in working together but need more time. This call can help me determine how I can best support you. You may ask questions and determine if I am the right match for you and/or your family.
Packages
Currently, there are no taxes charged on these fees (this may be subject to change in the future). Please let me know if this fee structure feels out of reach for you. A sliding-scale option is available. I offer a 15% discount on the initial (single) session for seniors, students, or anyone who is unemployed. Note: Note the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit is a one-time payment of $2,500 to the estate of a deceased person who made sufficient CPP contributions. Many families choose to apply this benefit or part of this benefit towards death doula services or other end-of-life costs.
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In this dedicated session, we can explore your wishes for end-of-life care or grief support deeper. This can be a 1:1 session or a family session, where family members can communicate wishes, fears and questions as a group. You may want help with filling forms or getting started on a legacy project. Prior to the session, you will complete a consent to working together and a client intake form, which will guide our session and highlight your needs or interests.
(up to 90 mins, $125.00)
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After a discovery call or initial session, if you are interested light support, this bundle offers a 15% discounted rate
3 sessions, 180 minutes, $315.00
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After a discovery call or initial session, if you are interested in working together for a longer period, this bundle offers a 20% discounted
6 sessions, 360 minutes, $475.00
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This bundle provides a longer-term support for up to 12 months for those interested in navigating a few different aspects of end-of-life care, advanced planning, legacy projects, MAiD or vigial planning. This allows for a slower pace, and allows us to work together over a longer period
13 sessions, 60 min each
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Item description
Why Plan for End of Life?
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Get companionship, emotional, spiritual, and informational support. Receive demystified guidance, and know that you are not alone during this time of transition.
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Let’s start a conversation. Death is not something that just happens to us. Get support and tools for moving through the end-of-life transition with reverence, and deep presence. Death cafe’s and other workshop offering will be available.
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Learn about self-care and non-medical interventions, such as herbal medicine, for managing end-of-life anxiety, including grief and bereavement.
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Prepare advanced care directives and advocate for yourself in the event of mental incapacity or sudden illness. Articulate your wishes regarding medical care, wills, and funeral preferences. Documents can can help to clearly communicate with loved ones and healthcare providers, reducing the burden on your family while giving you a say in your end-of-life journey.
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Get help creating a tangible memory to celebrate your or your loved ones life, and leave a lasting impression for future generations. These may include videos, artwork, music playlists, photo memory books, and much more.
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Honour the sacredness of dying through ceremony, ritual or vigils. Death doulas can hold space and help create a serene, comforting environment that reflect your beliefs and preferences.
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There are many ways that a death doula can support you or your loved one. Get in touch for more information or resources and support for navigating end-of-life care.
Death, a natural process, is shrouded by fear and silence in our (western) society. Thanatophobia, is a fear of death, and it manifests in many ways. Let’s work together to overcome this and bring back understanding. I am here to support you at the threshold of this sacred transition.