Death Doula
The end of life is one of life's most profound passages - emotional, spiritual, and deeply human. A death doula offers presence without agenda, witnessing without fixing, helping to make the transition meaningful, even beautiful. Tending to the practical while holding the emotional and spiritual layers of what it means to leave this life.
Who This Is For
Lisa works with individuals and families navigating a life limiting diagnosis - from early stage through end of life. She specializes in serving the international community in Oaxaca - those who have made this city their home and who may be without a nearby family support network. For loved ones abroad who cannot be physically present, Lisa can serve as a liaison, keeping family connected and informed through every stage of the journey.
Services are offered in English, with Spanish spoken on a case by case basis.
What Death Doula Support Includes
Emotional and spiritual support for the person who is dying
Family guidance and communication - helping loved ones understand what is happening and how to show up
Legacy work - life review, letters, projects, and meaningful ways of honoring a life being lived
Vigil holding - a calm, continuous presence through the active dying process
Anticipatory grief support - for family members navigating the grief of a loss that is still approaching
Bereavement support for family after the death
Liaison support for family members abroad who want to remain connected and informed but cannot be physically present.
Integrated End of Life Care
As needs shift and the body moves through its natural process of dying, Lisa can move seamlessly between death doula support and hands-on end of life caregiving - ensuring that the changing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the dying person are met with dignity and care at every stage.
For families who already have a caregiver in place, caregiver training is also available - equipping those already present with the awareness, tools, and sensitivity that end of life care specifically requires, so that nothing falls through the cracks and the person dying is always held with the care they deserve.
Grief Support
Loss does not begin at the moment of death. Families often carry grief long before - in the waiting, the watching, the slow goodbye. Lisa offers grief support for family members navigating anticipatory grief during a loved one's illness, as well as bereavement support after the death. This can be offered as part of an integrated care package or as a standalone service when needed.
From Early Diagnosis to End of Life
Death doula support does not have to begin at the bedside. When there is time, there is so much that can be done - stories recorded, letters written, relationships tended, fears named and met. Lisa works with clients from the moment they feel ready, for as long as they need.
Customized to Your Needs
No two journeys through the end of life are the same. Lisa works with individuals and families to shape a package of support that meets their unique situation - whether that means death doula guidance alone, integrated caregiving, grief support, or the full continuum of care from diagnosis through bereavement. Reach out to begin a conversation about what that might look like for you.
Getting Started
Choosing a death doula is a deeply personal decision. Lisa offers a free consultation - a relaxed, no pressure conversation to explore what support might look like for your specific situation and to see if working together feels like the right fit.