What is an end-of-life companion?

EOL companions, or doulas, provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort to the dying animal and their caregivers in a compassionate, nonjudgmental manner. Services may include education and guidance, emotional and grief support, as well as logistical and practical assistance.

The services are individually-tailored and flexible. We can provide a bundle of services or only one, depending on what you need. Here are some categories of services with a few examples of each.

Only interested in grief support?

Dealing with grief and loss is a uniquely individual process. People may want different kinds of support during this journey, and some only want someone to listen to them and witness their grief.

You know best what you need and if grief support is all, let’s talk.

Educational

  • Individual one-on-one planning and educational conversations about losing a companion animal

  • Conversations with family/loved ones or children about death and dying

Supporting and listening to you, your wishes and questions

  • Quality-of-life assessments, talking through options such as euthanasia or palliative care and the emotions and questions that arise

  • Helping you and your family to think about what constitutes a good end-of-life for their beloved family member

Honoring emotions and preparing for the loss

  • Anticipatory grief support

  • Guiding and mediating difficult conversations 

  • Supporting you in making these important decisions about your loved one’s death mindfully, so it doesn’t feel rushed or impulsive

Memories and tributes    

  • Facilitating your family sharing stories/creating art and music/writing/photography

  • Cultivating an understanding of the lessons your loved one has left and how you can cultivate ways for these gifts to live on

Memorial or celebration of life

  • Working with you to plan rituals, memorials, or celebration of life events

  • Including and honoring any cultural or spiritual elements that are important to you

Support and guidance after the death

  • Grief support

  • Ensure you and your family have support around this loss and the secondary losses that accompany it

  • Sharing resources or referrals as needed

If you’d like to get more information about how I work and the services I provide, please call me at (720) 491-1533 or email me at undyinglove.cindy@gmail.com.