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What Is A Death Doula?  

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Hi, my name is Courtney. Trained as an RN but now retired, I am offering services as an end of life caregiver and death doula in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. A death doula is essentially a caregiver that serves a similar role as a birth doula but at the end of life rather than the beginning.  I provide non-medical practical and emotional support to clients and their families as they navigate, prepare for and integrate this beautiful life transition.  

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​Mission Statement

My intention is to bring compassionate support and guidance to clients and their families around the sacred end of life and death process through a practical, emotional and spiritual lens

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      Are you:

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  • An individual feeling overwhelmed with diminishing health and energy levels needing additional compassionate assistance in your home?  

  • A family member needing respite from caregiving?

  • Wanting help to downsize or organize the home and belongings in anticipation of or after passing?  (Known as Swedish Death Cleaning in Scandinavia).  

  • Interested in psychospiritual exploration around end of life anxiety?  

  • Looking for someone trustworthy, compassionate, life and caregiving experienced, self directed and reliable to help you or your loved one in the aging years and at end of life?

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Who I am 

For most of my life, I've been curiously comfortable with death.  From having funerals for deceased small animals as a young child (much to my mother's dismay!), to being at my grandfather's bedside as a young teenager when he crossed over, to working in hospice as an RN, I have noticed an innate comfort around this inevitable part of life.  Having worked in the field of medicine for many years, I've come to realize that there is a gap in our society surrounding both birth and death; it isn't just about the actual, often overly medicalized event, but also the practical, emotional and spiritual processes before and after where individuals and families need support preparing and integrating these pivotal life transitions.  This is where my work as a death doula comes in.  With many years of caregiving experience, I can help clients and families bridge that gap around the often overwhelming and confusing realm of declining heath, to support a peaceful aging and end of life experience.  

Professional Training and Experience

  • ​Associates degree in Nursing from Clark College 2004

  • ​RN in Medical/Surgical, Women’s Health, Hospice from 2004-2020

  • Personal caregiving 2021- current

  • Psychedelic guide mentorship 2022

  • Being True To You Personal Transformation 
and Psychedelic Integration coach training program 2023

  • Workshops, mentorship and continuing education supporting these interests, including around end of life, is ongoing

  • Weekly volunteer work with Habitat For Humanity, a community garden and local retirement community

  • Death Cafe meeting facilitator (www.deathcafe.com)

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