End of Life Doula
Non-medical support for the dying and those who love them
When someone you love is dying — or when you yourself are facing the end of life — the experience can feel overwhelming, isolating, and uncharted. You don't have to navigate it alone.
A death doula — sometimes called an end of life doula — is a non-medical companion who supports the emotional, spiritual, and practical dimensions of dying. I work alongside your medical care team, not in place of it. My role is to be a steady, caring presence during a time when everything else feels uncertain.
I support the person who is dying. And I support the people who surround them — the partners, children, parents, friends, and caregivers who are carrying their own weight through this experience.
This work is not about imposing a framework or telling anyone how dying should look. It is about being present — following your lead, honouring what matters to you, and helping create the conditions for as much peace, connection, and dignity as possible.
Every situation is different. What I offer is shaped entirely by what you and your family need. That might include:
Being present with the dying and their loved ones. Sitting with the hard conversations. Holding space for fear, love, anger, gratitude, and everything in between — without judgement, without an agenda.
Sometimes what's needed most is someone who isn't afraid to be in the room.
Being a caregiver for someone who is dying requires entirely different energy than being a griever. Both roles live in you at once, and each needs its own space. I help caregivers find their own ground — so they can be present with their person without losing themselves in the process.
You cannot pour from an empty vessel. This work helps you tend your own fire.
The dying process involves logistics that no one prepares you for. I can help navigate the practical dimensions — from understanding what to expect, to coordinating with care teams, to simply being an extra pair of hands and a clear head when yours is full.
The practical and the sacred are not separate. Tending to one tends to the other.
I honour every tradition, every belief, and every absence of belief. Whether your family draws on faith, on cultural practices, on personal ritual, or on none of these — I meet you where you are. My role is not to bring my spirituality into your experience, but to support yours.
There is no right way to die. There is only your way.
There is no wrong time. Some people contact me early — at diagnosis, or even before — to begin building a relationship and thinking about what they want. Others reach out when death is close and they need support now. Both are welcome.
If you're not sure whether a death doula is right for your situation, a conversation costs nothing and carries no obligation. Sometimes just naming what you're facing is the first step.
I am not a medical professional and do not provide medical care, nursing, or clinical advice. I work alongside your healthcare team — doctors, nurses, hospice workers, palliative care specialists — complementing their medical expertise with the emotional and human dimensions of dying that often fall through the cracks in our healthcare system.
I am also not a grief therapist or counsellor. For those who need clinical mental health support, I maintain referral relationships with professionals I trust and can help connect you.
"My time with Maia offered me an outlet beyond my family. She was there simply for me. She helped guide me back to myself and helped me find strength, courage and the space to be exactly who I needed to be. There was never an agenda. There wasn't any judgement, only pure compassion." — Bobbi Sarai
Exchange
All end of life doula support is personalized. We begin with a conversation to understand your situation and what would be most helpful.
20 minutes to meet, share what's happening, and explore whether I can help.
Scoped to your needs. We'll determine together what level of support makes sense.
Sliding scale available. No one will be refused for financial reasons.