Guided Passage Doula
End of life care, support, and advocacy in Nanaimo, B.C.
Dying isn’t just medical. It’s spiritual.
How can an end of life doula help?
We provide care, support and advocacy for those who are facing the end of their life, or for their families and friends, while helping to demystify end of life options.
Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
– Buddha
We can help if you're dying
by helping you honour and complete your relationships and offer guidance.
We can help if someone you know is dying
by offering support, helping to prepare you for what is to come, and by holding space for you so that you can experience this transition for all that it is.
We can help if you’ve experienced a sudden death of a loved one
by helping you ease into your grief, and creating ceremonies that help bring closure.
Who is Guided Passage
End of Life Doula?
Basha Nemeskeri
Registered Death Doula in Nanaimo, B.C.
Basha Nemeskeri felt drawn to her work as an end of life doula after many successive events brought her face to face with death. Each opportunity to see the immense landscape of what death can create and illuminate helped her understand that the transition at the end of life, was also the beginning of something else as well.
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At the age of 18 Basha lost her father suddenly and began her journey to understanding grief and loss. Not having had closure or a goodbye offered her the opportunity to begin a communication with him through letters, energy work, and therapy, which helped her move forward in a healthy way. Years later, as she and her family were about to welcome their second child, Basha also lost her mother. The closeness and bond that was between them was passed on to Bashas’ two young children through stories, celebrations, anecdotes, and meaningful conversations held at poignant times, such as “grandmas birthday” or death anniversary. This second, and intensely visceral demise in Basha’s life helped normalize death and dying for her and her family, and helped pique her curiosity about how she could better be of service to her community. As a birth doula and yoga instructor, it seemed only natural to continue to find ways to help her community through times of transition, and so, after a third and very moving passing of a friend, she began her studies as an end of life doula in 2020.
She hopes that her experience in creating ritual, ceremony, awareness, and discussion about death will enable others to navigate through the often confusing realm. Basha is respectful of all religious and spiritual beliefs, and looks forward to working with all communities and cultures, including those who identify as lgbtqia2s+ and indigenous.
Trisha Mureseanu
Certified End of Life Doula and Holistic Massage Therapist
As a certified end of life doula and Holistic Massage Therapist, Trisha Mureseanu offers personalized doula services based on your unique needs. She offers you and your family support and information and will accompany you through every step to ensure the highest quality of life to the end. Her purpose is to honour the sacred stages of life and death.
Trisha lives a holistic lifestyle and recognizes that we need to feel whole and complete through every transition life offers, and death is part of that.
Trisha is also a Holistic intuitive Massage Therapist and often spends time donating hospice Massage where she connects with your energy to create wholeness. She dedicates herself to be at service to you and all that is around you.
FAQ
What is Death Doula?
A death doula is a person who assists in the dying process, much like a midwife or doula does with the birthing process. It is often a community based role, aiming to help families cope with death through recognizing it as a natural and important part of life. The role can supplement and go beyond hospice. Practitioners perform a large variety of service, including creating death plans, and providing spiritual, psychological, and social support before and just after death. Their role can also include more logistical activities, helping with services, planning funerals and memorial services, and guiding mourners in their rights and responsibilities.
Death is a process that can span over months or even years rather than an event and doulas can help with supporting and planning for the future, regardless of diagnosis or illness. Having a conversation or making a plan when you are healthy, is encouraged by doulas so that the care received at the end of life is appropriate and aligned with your wishes.
Why would I need a Death Doula?
For the dying individual: Whether in the family’s home, hospice, hospital or some other setting, a death doula often provides the profound gift of companionship. Among many things, this might comprise simply holding the dying person’s hand; actively listening to his or her comments; conversing and attempting to offer answers/comfort to the individual’s questions/concerns/needs; watching television or reading a book aloud; discussing end-of-life wishes; helping the dying individual resolve/find peace about real or imagined wrongs; etc.
For the family members: Whether in the family’s home, hospice, hospital or some other setting, a death doula often provides the gift of continuity across the pan-death spectrum, i.e., before, during and after a death occurs. Among many things, this might comprise performing various basic tasks usually conducted by a home caregiver; staying with the dying individual while family members are away; facilitating supportive communication and/or conversations between all parties; assisting in the creation of meaningful goodbyes during the remaining hours of life; helping the family bathe and dress the deceased; serving as a resource for funeral/interment planning and estate settlement; etc.
How Is A Death Doula Different From Hospice Care?
The biggest difference between a hospice and end-of-life doula is the hospice is responsible for the plan of care and clinical support of each patient and the end-of-life doula is a non-medical support role. The two are polar opposites in terms of managing the care for the person and family at the end of life. One is leading care, and one is reinforcing what the leader is suggesting and offering.
Another difference is that in hospice, all the main professionals attending to the person who is dying and their family are licensed in their role—the physician, nurse, social worker. The volunteers have been vetted by the hospice agency; they go through a “hiring” process similar to the professional staff. The Certified Nursing Assistants must go through a state approved certification process. The End-of-Life Doula is a new role in our family support system and at present is not required to be licensed nor certified.
When should I contact a Death Doula?
A death doula can offer support at any point along the path of life – not just after a determined, anticipated passing. Death doulas can offer assistance and information on how to best support end of life choices, which can often be made well ahead of time. Most clients however, reach out once a terminal diagnosis is made, or a death is foreseeable in the near future.
Are End of Life Doulas covered under medical?
At this time, End of Life Doulas are not covered under medical or private insurance. It is the hope that this will be changed in the near future with adequate support and funding.
What is the End of Life Doula’s Scope of Practice?
A Death Doula provides emotional, educational and practical support that empowers the client to make informed decisions regarding their end of life care. The Doula communicates in a respectful, non-judgmental, encouraging way so that the client’s wishes can be heard and fully understood.
Our goal is to provide support and resources to primary caregivers and persons supporting the client.
Here to help guide and support you with end of life care. More information is just a request away.