Resource center
Start where you are.
A free checklist, a reading list, and honest answers. No sign-up walls, no pressure.
The Peace-of-Mind Checklist
Nine sections, one page at a time. Legal and financial, medical, personal wishes, legacy, digital life, home and personal affairs, caregiving, and the conversations most families never get around to having.
End-of-life planning isn’t about preparing for death. It’s about making life a little easier for the people you love.
Leaving More Than Memories
Leaving More Than Memories is more than a journal — it’s a guided legacy experience. Designed by Death Doula Nicole, this workbook helps individuals and families capture the stories, wisdom, traditions, and heartfelt messages they want to pass on.
Whether you’re planning ahead, reflecting on your life’s journey, or creating a meaningful keepsake for your family, this workbook offers gentle guidance to help preserve what matters most.
Recommended
Books & films.
The ones I return to, and the ones I hand to families most often.
Books
- A Beginner’s Guide to the End — BJ Miller & Shoshana Berger
- Being Mortal — Atul Gawande
- When Breath Becomes Air — Paul Kalanithi
- Nothing to Fear — Julie McFadden
- Everybody’s Doing It, So Let’s Die Better — Abigail D’Agostino
Films & documentaries
- Dick Johnson is Dead
- Tuesdays with Morrie
- Coco
- The Last Ecstatic Days
- Jack Has a Plan
- Holding Space
Questions
The things people
are afraid to ask.
There is no wrong question here, and no question I haven't heard.
What is a death doula?
A death doula is a trained professional who provides non-medical support, guidance and comfort to individuals and families during the end-of-life process. We focus on emotional, spiritual and practical support to ensure dignity and peace during this sacred transition.
Why should someone work with a death doula?
Emotional support: a safe, non-judgmental space to express fear, grief and hope. Advance planning guidance: from living wills to legacy projects. Vigil and presence at the end: a calming presence, music, rituals, or simply stillness. Family support: preparing loved ones emotionally, practically and spiritually. Bridging gaps: complementing hospice, medical teams and spiritual care. Creating meaning: legacy work, obituary drafting, rituals and personal storytelling. Ultimately, a death doula walks beside families through a time many feel unprepared for, so no one has to go through it alone.
When should I contact a death doula?
You can reach out at any stage, whether you're planning ahead, facing a terminal diagnosis, or already in hospice care. Early engagement allows for more comprehensive planning, but support is valuable at any point in the journey.
How do death doula services differ from hospice care?
While hospice provides medical care and pain management, death doulas offer non-medical support. We focus on emotional comfort, spiritual guidance, family support, and helping create meaningful experiences during the dying process.
Is talking about death really helpful?
While it can feel uncomfortable, many people find that talking openly about death reduces fear, creates clarity, and helps families make decisions with greater confidence and peace.
Do death doulas provide medical care?
No. Death doulas do not provide medical care, administer medications, diagnose conditions, or replace healthcare professionals.
Do you support caregivers?
Absolutely. Caregivers often experience exhaustion, stress, guilt and isolation. Supporting caregivers is one of the most important parts of a death doula's role.
Do you work with people who aren't actively dying?
Yes. Many people seek support months or years before death while navigating aging, chronic illness, caregiving responsibilities, or advance planning.
Do you provide support after a death occurs?
Many death doulas offer short-term grief support, guidance on immediate next steps, and referrals to grief resources and professionals. There are times where I can also help to clean out an estate.
Where do you meet with clients?
Support can be provided in homes, senior living communities, hospice facilities, hospitals when permitted, or virtually.
Let's connect
The first step is always
a gentle conversation.
Schedule a complimentary consultation to talk through what you're facing and how I can help. In person across Summit, Cuyahoga, Medina and Stark counties, or virtually anywhere.