End-of-Life Doula, Co-Founder and Second Vice-President, MembershipDenver EOL DoulaInternational End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA)
Phone:(303) 241-3396homeEmail:rbyqbhynqraire@tznvy.pbzmoc.liamg@revnedaluodloeINTERNETEmail:inarffn@pbrbypbyynobengvir.betgro.evitaroballocloeoc@assenavINTERNETWebsite:DenverEOLDoula.comCEOLC Member Profile:Vanessa Johnston
Categories: Companioning for Dying Person, End-of-Life Doula Services, LGBTQIA+ Ally/Advocate, Life Review, MAiD Support, Meditation/Visualization, Guided, Other Therapies, Planning/Legal, Reiki/Energy Work, Respite for Caregivers, Sitting Vigil, Speakers Bureau, Spiritual Guidance, Support for Caregivers, Support/Advocacy, Therapies, Vigil Planning, VSED Support
My mission is to empower those who are dying to experience their final milestone with dignity and grace. I seek to provide individualized and intersectional emotional, spiritual, and informational support for people with a terminal diagnosis and their loved ones. I wish to be a compassionate companion and provide a witness in sacred service to honor the final chapter in others’ stories. I believe Black Lives Matter. I am also an LGBTQIA+ ally and advocate.
I offer clients a wide range of services including, but not limited to the following:
A compassionate bedside presence that normalizes the dying process
Assistance in creating space and moving from fear and anxiety to love and meaning
Guided meditation for relief of stress and discomfort
Assistance with Life Review, Vigil Planning, Legacy Projects, and Advance Directives
Knowledge of local resources regarding traditional cemeteries, home funerals, and ecologically friendly green burials
Guidance to appropriate Grief Counselors and Bereavement Support in the area.
Speakers Bureau
Vanessa Johnston has delivered many successful presentations for all types of organizations, from small church groups to the statewide Colorado Guardianship Association. As an End-of-Life Doula, her passion lies in describing the many facets of the modern Death-Positive Movement. This new approach to death and dying attempts to demystify the process that is the natural final milestone for everyone. She can clarify the toxic history of embalming and introduce audiences to recent advances in funeral practices, such as more ecological choices like green burials and aquamation. In addition, Vanessa can reveal the work of a EOL Doula and the importance of thoughtful Life Reviews and Vigil Plans. Finally, Vanessa is happy to share various resources for completing legal documents like Advance Directives and helpful tips for having difficult conversations with loved ones. Her enthusiasm comes from inspiring the public to live their best lives by embracing death.
Location:Metro DenverWest of I-25 corridorGolden & surrounding foothillsColorado80401homePhone:(720) 989-1929homeOther Phone:(303) 908-6121homefaxEmail:pvaql@urnegfcrnx2h.pbzmoc.u2kaepstraeh@ydnicINTERNETWebsite:HeartSpeak End of Life CompanioningCEOLC Member Profile:Cindy Kaufman
Categories: Advance Care Planning, Celebration of Life, Ceremonies/Rituals, Client Advocacy, Companioning for Dying Person, End-of-Life Doula Services, Funerals, Home Funerals, Legacy Projects, LGBTQIA+ Ally/Advocate, Life Review, MAiD Support, Meditation/Visualization, Guided, Memorial Services, Officiant/Minister, Respite for Caregivers, Sitting Vigil, Speakers Bureau, Spiritual Guidance, Support for Caregivers, Vigil Planning, VSED Support
Cindy Kaufman offers audiences her wide range of skills as an educator, speaker, and international best-selling author of “The Mortal’s Guide to Dying Well – Practical Wisdom From an End of Life Doula.” Cindy’s end-of-life experiences working directly with patients and families spans more than 25 years, giving her a breadth and depth of knowledge that allows her to create presentations, seminars, webinars, and courses befitting audiences of any size or variety. Sample topics range from advance care planning, end-of-life doula care, how to plan for dying well, designing your final days and hours of life (vigil planning), home funerals and green burials, caring for the caregivers, and much more. Feedback comments on past events include, “exceedingly well-presented,” “amazing information” and “gracious and loving.” If you are needing a topic not listed above, Cindy can craft something special and unique for your organization or community group.
End-of-Life Doula, CEOLC President and Co-FounderHeartSpeak End-of-Life Companioning LLCCertified End-of-Life Doula, INELDA (International End-of-Life Doula Association)
Location:Metro DenverWest of I-25 corridorGolden & surrounding foothillsColorado80401United StateshomePhone:(720) 989-1929homeOther Phone:(303) 908-6121homefaxEmail:pvaql@urnegfcrnx2h.pbzmoc.u2kaepstraeh@ydnicINTERNETWebsite:HeartSpeak End of Life Companioning
Categories: Advance Care Planning, Celebration of Life, Ceremonies/Rituals, Client Advocacy, Companioning for Dying Person, Education/Training, End-of-Life Doula Services, Funerals, Home Funerals, Legacy Projects, LGBTQIA+ Ally/Advocate, Life Review, MAiD Support, Meditation/Visualization, Guided, Memorial Services, Memorials, Officiant/Minister, Planning/Legal, Respite for Caregivers, Sitting Vigil, Speakers Bureau, Spiritual Guidance, Support for Caregivers, Support/Advocacy, Therapies, Vigil Planning, VSED Support
Receiving the diagnosis of a terminal illness can leave a person feeling a complete loss of control over their life and their choices. When that person will die, and what symptoms they will experience, are determined by the disease or illness they have. In my work as an End-of-Life Doula, I offer my clients a sense of personal empowerment in planning for their final days and hours of life that will reflect their wishes and choices when they are no longer able to choose these for themselves. I can become an advocate to assure these plans are carried out as fully as possible, serve as a compassionate companion for their final journey, and honor their personal visions for dying well. I can also support their loved ones through this time, offering assistance unique to their circumstances. I hope to inspire others to see death as a natural transition with its own innate gifts and beauty, rather than something to be feared and avoided.
My mission is to be a compassionate companion on life’s final journey. With a calm and loving presence, I advocate for the dying person and his/her personal choices about End-of-Life decisions and care, as well as providing much-needed support for the loved ones. Having more than 30 years of experience as a hospice volunteer, along with a background in counseling and gerontology, and now as a Certified End-of-Life Doula, I feel this work is my calling. I am honored to share in this sacred space with my clients. Additionally, I am an ordained interfaith minister, trained in home funerals, and can offer guidance on green burials. I am also an LGBTQIA+ ally and advocate.
My services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Advance Care Planning Facilitator (Certified by Respecting Choices®)
Compassionate companioning for the dying person, as well as respite and support for the caregiver(s)
Guided meditation – help for anxiety and pain relief
Life review – finding meaning in a life lived
Legacy projects – leaving a creative gift, letters, or other legacy project for loved ones
Vigil planning – assisting in the design of a personal plan for the final days and hours of life
Sitting vigil – being at the bedside, holding space, in the final days and hours of life
Guiding the transition process from life to death and into grief and bereavement
Serving as a Home Funeral Guide to help those who want to return to a more traditional, sacred way of caring for our deceased loved ones
Designing, developing and officiating ceremonies including funerals, memorials, life celebrations, weddings, commitment ceremonies and house blessings
Providing support and guidance for both MAiD (Medical Aid in Dying) and VSED (Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking)
Speakers Bureau
Cindy Kaufman offers audiences her wide range of skills as an educator, speaker, and international best-selling author of “The Mortal’s Guide to Dying Well – Practical Wisdom From an End of Life Doula.” Cindy’s end-of-life experiences working directly with patients and families spans more than 30 years, giving her a breadth and depth of knowledge that allows her to create presentations, seminars, webinars, and courses befitting audiences of any size or variety. Sample topics range from advance care planning, end-of-life doula care, how to plan for dying well, designing your final days and hours of life (vigil planning), home funerals and green burials, caring for the caregivers, and much more. Feedback comments on past events include, “exceedingly well-presented,” “amazing information” and “gracious and loving.” If you are needing a topic not listed above, Cindy can craft something special and unique for your organization or community group.
End-of-Life Midwife, CEOLC Secretary and Co-FounderEnd of Life MidwifeCertified by The Conscious Dying Institute, Denver Hospice
Location:Denver areaFairplay & surroundingColoradoUnited StateshomeEmail:qrnguzvqjvsr.nedhrggr@tznvy.pbzmoc.liamg@etteuqra.efiwdimhtaedINTERNETWebsite:End of Life Midwife
Categories: Celebration of Life, Ceremonies/Rituals, Client Advocacy, Companioning for Dying Person, End-of-Life Doula Services, Funerals, Grief and Bereavement Support, Legacy Projects, Life Review, Living Funerals, MAiD Support, Meditation/Visualization, Guided, Memorial Services, Memorials, Planning/Legal, Respite for Caregivers, Sitting Vigil, Speakers Bureau, Support for Caregivers, Support/Advocacy, Therapies, Vigil Planning, VSED Support
My mission is to be a strong and steady presence for the dying and their families. I strive to demystify the dying process while comforting and supporting those involved. I advocate for the vision of my clients so that this End-of-Life event is the culmination—the legacy—of a unique life and soul.
I offer clients a wide range of services including, but not limited to the following:
A warm, comforting, and respectful presence that mediates fear of both the known and unknown
Assistance preparing for the practical and psychological/emotional aspects of dying
Guided meditation for relief of stress and discomfort
Assistance related to family communications surrounding the impending death
Help preparing final letters, completing albums, journaling, and creating legacy projects such as works of art, music, or text that will represent the dying and remind the living of the presence, personality, and spirit of the deceased
Organization of essential papers and other materials
Sitting vigil.
Speakers Bureau
Kerry Arquette is an experienced speaker well known for her ability to craft talks for a wide range of audiences. She has been featured at the National Mensa Convention, on national podcasts, and for students in high school through university. Kerry, a certified death doula, holds a M.S. in Criminology. She looks for opportunities to talk about the work of end-of-life midwives, and a process of systematically preparing for death emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Kerry also lectures on the history of dying and death in America—a history that culminated in the creation of death doulas.
As a criminologist, Kerry explores the subject of dying while incarcerated, and how death doulas might play a role in easing the passing for the convicted who die without family support. Finally, Kerry believes death—the elephant in the middle of the dining room table—should be talked about. She mediates organic group discussions on death and dying. Kerry’s talks have been called “compelling, informative, and life-changing.”
End-of-Life Doula, CEOLC First Vice-President & Co-FounderGifts of Life CeremoniesINELDA-trained End-of-Life Doula; Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant
Location:Metro Denver and the Surrounding AreaColorado80033United StateshomePhone:(970) 682-4416homeEmail:Inyrevr@TvsgfbsYvsrPrerzbavrf.pbzmoc.seinomereCefiLfostfiG@eirelaVINTERNETWebsite:Gifts of Life Ceremonies
Categories: Advance Care Planning, Aromatherapy/Essential Oils, Celebration of Life, Ceremonies/Rituals, Companioning for Dying Person, End-of-Life Doula Services, Funerals, Grief and Bereavement Support, Home Funerals, Legacy Projects, Life Review, Living Funerals, MAiD Support, Meditation/Visualization, Guided, Memorial Services, Other Therapies, Reiki/Energy Work, Sitting Vigil, Spiritual Guidance, Support for Caregivers, Vigil Planning, VSED Support
My professional “calling” is to create End of Life Tributes/ Celebrations for the dying. Also known as “Living Funerals”. Living funerals offer a unique opportunity for not only the guest of honor to share life stories, but for others to share stories, thoughts, quotes, poems about how the guest of honor has impacted their life. Tributes can be intimate or large and held at any type of venue.
I interview the guest of honor and any family/ friends they desire to be present. I compile my notes into a professionally crafted ceremony to include wonderful stories, poems, quotes, music, etc. The guest of honor has the final approval of the celebration. I then officiate the celebration and provide a beautiful ceremony keepsake.
Other examples of legacy projects include: audio/ video interviews, letters, memory boxes/books, mementos, seasonal: holidays, ornaments, memorial gardens, anniversaries etc.
Map Your Care: Illness & Grief Counseling, LLCContact Name:BonnieHerrmann, LCSW
Location:Front range (in person), Colorado (virtual)ColoradohomePhone:720-414-0320homeEmail:obaavr@znclbhepnerpbhafryvat.pbzmoc.gnilesnuoceracruoypam@einnobINTERNETWebsite:Website
Categories: Advance Care Planning, Affiliate End-of-Life Services, Counseling (Licensed), Education/Training, Grief and Bereavement Support, Legacy Projects, LGBTQIA+ Ally/Advocate, Life Review, MAiD Support, Speakers Bureau, Support for Caregivers, VSED Support
Map Your Care: Illness & Grief Counseling offers a full range of counseling services to help you soften your fears and live your best life. From the first rumbling of thoughts about your health through the end of your life and beyond, I can help you map out what’s important to you as you move through life and help provide support to your family along the way.
Through my private practice, I provide licensed counseling services to individuals and families. I offer in-home counseling in the Denver Metro/Front Range for those who are have mobility challenges and offer virtual counseling for Colorado residents. I focus on illness, caregiving, end of life and grief and pull from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, nature therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. Drawing on 10 years of experience as a clinical social worker in oncology, hospice, palliative care and in a care facility setting, I can help you understand your options as you navigate an illness or end of life in the context of your individual needs and resources.
Through counseling I can help you: -Explore long seeded fears around illness and dying -Improve your communication with loved ones and your healthcare team -Develop coping strategies for managing chronic pain and chronic illness -Document your health care wishes and feel confident in advocating for them -Create personal and meaningful legacy work to celebrate your life -Understand your end of life options, including Medical Aid in Dying and final disposition -Continue to move through life while honoring your grief -Draw from the cycles of nature to hold space for both joy and sorrow -Process your cancer journey and explore survivorship struggles, like fear of recurrence -Develop coping strategies to sustain you and bring meaning to your caregiving experience
Degrees & Certifications: -Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 2016 -Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) 2013 -Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) 2011 -Advanced Clinical Hospice & Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW) 2020
I am currently out of network with all insurance policies but will be accepting Medicare soon. I aim to make my services available to a wide audience and am happy to offer sliding scale rates.