Eleison End-of-life Doula Services

02/18/2025

Something a little unusual happened last week. An independent filmmaker contacted us last year. He was fascinated we are Orthodox doulas offering birth and end-of-life care. He’s been trying to interview us for months. We finally made the time for it. It was definitely interesting.

02/04/2025

“When you understand that something is finite, it makes life so much more vivid and beautiful.”

Talking about death can actually make it a much less frightening topic. Here’s how working with a death doula or attending a local death cafe can help. January 14, 2025 “I’m having a very deathly week,” the young woman says, starting the conversation after a round of introductions. All 26 pe...

01/23/2025

At first glance, birth and death might seem like polar opposites: one marking the beginning of life, the other its conclusion. But when we take a closer look, it becomes clear that these two transitions are deeply interconnected. One friend, hearing about how Nicholas and I support these two transitions, respectively, said "Oh, that's beautiful! You work with both of the bookends!" I love that image, and now I think about it when I look at the crowded bookshelves in our house....

At first glance, birth and death might seem like polar opposites: one marking the beginning of life, the other its conclusion. But when we take a closer look, it becomes clear that these two transi…

01/21/2025

When my kids were born, my mom said being a grandparent is wonderful because you get cuddles and can send the kids home when you're tired. Future grandparents are usually excited about their new role and the baby they'll spoil. However, they may also worry about their child's delivery and feel disconnected from how childbirth and parenting advice have evolved since their time....

When my kids were born, my mom said being a grandparent is wonderful because you get cuddles and can send the kids home when you’re tired. Future grandparents are usually excited about their …

01/15/2025

Are you having trouble deciding which doctor, midwife, or hospital to use for your pregnancy care and birth? Maybe you have a loved one with a terminal diagnosis and you're trying to choose a hospice. Or you think you'd like to have a doula but don't know where to start. Recommendations from local people who have recently had similar experiences can be very helpful....

Are you having trouble deciding which doctor, midwife, or hospital to use for your pregnancy care and birth? Maybe you have a loved one with a terminal diagnosis and you’re trying to choose a…

01/11/2025

Pregnancy and childbirth are transformative experiences, but if you’ve previously dealt with medical conditions like endometriosis, vaginismus, or other pelvic health concerns, the journey to birth can come with its own set of unique challenges and fears. In addition to the physical and emotional preparations every expectant parent must make, there may be lingering questions or anxiety tied to how your body will respond during labor....

Pregnancy and childbirth are transformative experiences, but if you’ve previously dealt with medical conditions like endometriosis, vaginismus, or other pelvic health concerns, the journey to birth…

01/04/2025

Our ad in the new Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader.

12/09/2024

I looked for answers. They're not as hard to find as I imagined.

In 2000, 24 years ago, my dad died and I was grief-stricken. But beyond the emotions I realized I had not the first clue how to respond. What to do when the life someone close draws to a close. I f…

12/09/2024

In 2000, 24 years ago, my dad died and I was grief-stricken. But beyond the emotions I realized I had not the first clue how to respond. What to do when the life someone close draws to a close. I felt to determined to answer the many questions I had. Fast forward to 2018 when my mother became ill and was given a terminal diagnosis....

In 2000, 24 years ago, my dad died and I was grief-stricken. But beyond the emotions I realized I had not the first clue how to respond. What to do when the life someone close draws to a close. I f…

11/21/2024

Here are some truths about birth and death. They are universal human experiences, yet each human experiences them uniquely. Although women have been giving birth throughout the history of our species and death - one of Mark Twain's two "certainties" - will come to us all, the uncertainty of how and when these events will unfold leaves many of us feeling unprepared and alone....

Here are some truths about birth and death. They are universal human experiences, yet each human experiences them uniquely. Although women have been giving birth throughout the history of our speci…

11/13/2024

This week, Nicholas and I had an interesting Zoom meeting. A filmmaker working on a project entitled “Meaning” had approached us, fascinated by the birth and end-of-life doula work of Eleison Doula Services. We’re still figuring out how much we would like to be involved with the film, but the conversation for me raised an important question: what does it mean to have a meaningful birth?...

This week, Nicholas and I had an interesting Zoom meeting. A filmmaker working on a project entitled “Meaning” had approached us, fascinated by the birth and end-of-life doula work of Eleison Doula…

11/13/2024

“…the introspection is a nudge toward appreciating the smaller elements of everyday life: the taste of your coffee and food, the sunlight on your face, and the ability to move your body”

Thinking more intentionally — and frequently — about death can help you live a better, more meaningful life, says hospice nurse and author Julie McFadden.