End-of-life Doula Services

Butterfly Wings

We support you and your circle of care during the weeks and months prior to death, up to and including your transition. In addition, as certified grief educators, Butterfly Wing’s End of Life Doula’s can support both you and your loved ones navigate through grief both during the dying process and after death.

Our non-medical, professional doula’s are trained and certified to provide emotional, practical and informational support to patients and families before, during and after death.

We help you to create calm among the chaos of a terminal diagnosis, allowing you to focus your time and energy on the things that are most important to you on this final journey.

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”

– Anonymous

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A supportive moment indoors featuring a cancer patient comforted by a friend, conveying emotion and care.

Spotlight

If your loved got a terminal diagnosis today, would you know how to care for them?

Did you know that 98% of hands on end-of-life care is done by family care givers even when hospice services are onboard? Unfortunately families are usually unprepared emotionally and practically to manage end-of-life care. The good news is there is help…

Click here to learn more >>>

Services provided

Legacy Projects

Practical Support

Vigil & Ritual Planning

Serene spa atmosphere with candles and incense for ultimate relaxation.

Grief Coaching

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Are you caring for an elderly parent?

Life stages

Many people find themselves in “the sandwich” generation – caring for children and elderly parents while working full time.

It is difficult to navigate how to be present for everyone that needs you during this phase of your life. Elderly parents often have more time and need companionship, and a safe space to talk about what is happening to them and their bodies.

At Butterfly Wings we can help. Our Doula’s provide a great sense of companionship and are trained in both active listening and engaging over topics of aging, death and dying.

Get Help Today…

You gave me back a sense of peace and control.

“You gave me something I didn’t think was possible with this diagnosis — peace and a sense of control over how to make the most of the time I have left with my family.”
Mr P.
Lung Cancer

The world needs more people like you!

“The world needs more people like you – death doula’s. Most people want to look away from pain and death, but dying is a part of life, if we weren’t to scared to just look at it.”
Ms R.
Stage IV Stomach Cancer

It was overwhelming, but you made it bearable.

“It was overwhelming when mum died, but you made it bearable. Without your support I don’t think we could have kept mom at home until the end.”
Mrs. R.C.
COPD

You were there when we couldn’t be

“End stage dementia is challenging for everyone. I would we could have been there more for my mom, but are so grateful that you could be there for her when we couldn’t.” ”
Mr. M
End Stage Dementia

Being prepared

Do you have an ‘Aging Well Plan’ in place?

Life expectancy has almost doubled in the last 100 years. The elderly population is one of the fastest growing demographics. With advanced age comes many challenges including physical, cognitive, financial and emotional challenges. We don’t know how long we will live, or what our circumstances will be when we get to that age.

We have found that it is best practice to have a Living Will and Aging Plan in place to cover all of the possibilities. This allows you to choose what you want ahead of time, and to share this with those who will support you through your end of life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs provide answers to common questions about how an end-of-life doula can support you and your loved ones at end of life. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us to discuss further.

Some people choose to engage a doula early, even as they begin planning or discussing their wishes for the future, while others reach out during the later stages of life or following a terminal diagnosis. The best time is whenever you or your loved ones feel you could benefit from open and engaging discussions about your end-of-life wishes.

While hospice care focuses on medical support and pain management, an end-of-life doula offers non-medical, holistic support. A doula complements hospice care by addressing the emotional and practical needs which are often overlooked. For example, a doula may help families sort through belongings, plan meaningful rituals, or sit vigil with loved ones to provide ongoing companionship up to and including through the active dying phase
Another key difference is time. Hospice nurses and volunteers are limited in the amount of time they can spend with a patient. An end-of-life doula, on the other hand, can be available to the dying person and their family for as much time as needed in the lead up to and during the active dying process. We will work with you to design a unique care and support plan that fits your unique needs.

At Butterfly Wings our doula’s are hospice trained and have worked within the hospice system. We integrate our services with those provided by hospice in order to provide you with holistic end-of-life support.

End-of-life doulas not only support the individual at the end of life but also provide guidance and comfort to family members before, during and after their loss.
Our Butterfly Wings Doulas are certified grief educators who can assist with grief coaching, organizing memorials, facilitating discussions about wishes, providing respite care or simply being a compassionate presence during a difficult time. This continuum of care provides support to help ease the emotional and practical burdens on families as their loved ones approach end of life.

The death transition, while extremely challenging, is also an opportunity to creating lasting memories. Butterfly Death doulas can help guide you through the process, providing a sense of peace and calm, and allowing you to focus on planning the your own unique end of life experience.

Whether it’s help with creating a legacy, organizing logistics, sitting vigil, or finding ways to bring peace and comfort, our end-of-life doulas tailor their services to meet your unique needs, and ensuring that you and your family do not have to face this journey alone.

Yes, palliative care peak bodies from all Australian states and territories, as well as Flinders University, have developed ‘end-of-life doulas and palliative care’ resources to assist palliative care services and health professionals to work with their patients and their end-of-life doula to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.