Carol Rubino
Certified End of Life Doula
Go Beyond Fear & Create Meaning at Life’s End With “The Farewell Journey”
In this custom, private end of life planning & support package, I help bridge the gap between clinical care & family assistance by providing emotional comfort, legacy projects, and meaningful end of life experiences. Go beyond the fear & make the most out of your loved one’s life.
Unlike most end of life care facilities where the staff is sometimes rushed, burnt out, and always changing, I can be a consistent part of your family team & provide guidance for your loved one every step of the way.
Unlike most end of life care facilities where the staff is sometimes rushed, burnt out, and always changing, I can be a consistent part of your family team & provide guidance for your loved one every step of the way.
Benefits of the “THE FAREWELL JOURNEY”:
|
|
Why Work With an End of Life Doula?
A significant number of people experience regret after a loved one dies, particularly regarding conversations not had, or actions not taken.
What’s comforting is…”The Farewell Journey” is an effective & tailored end of life planning & support service for you facing the end of life and for your family team caring for you during this process.
An End of Life Doula’s approach to a mere intimate experience is consistency, confidence, compassion, & softness to help navigate grief and end of life planning.
- Regret can be a significant factor in the grieving process and can influence how individuals cope with loss, according to studies cited by the National Institutes of Health.
- A YouGov poll found that 73% of people regret not having certain conversations with loved ones before they died.
- Another survey by YouGov revealed that 47% of Americans regret not recording or documenting conversations with loved ones who have passed away.
What’s comforting is…”The Farewell Journey” is an effective & tailored end of life planning & support service for you facing the end of life and for your family team caring for you during this process.
An End of Life Doula’s approach to a mere intimate experience is consistency, confidence, compassion, & softness to help navigate grief and end of life planning.
BEFORE & AFTER "THE FAREWELL JOURNEY"
|
|
“THE FAREWELL JOURNEY” IS FOR YOU IF...
|
|
What’s Included?
- Discuss goals & priorities and create a plan to implement them
- Weekly visits totaling 2-3 hours. Visits will include listening, storytelling, and non-medical emotional support
- Teaching the family how to provide hands-on comfort measures according to the personal needs of their dying loved one
- Step-by-step guidance with creating a Memorial or Legacy project
- On-call availability as the time nears and 11th-hour care upon request
- After death care, preparation of the body & home vigil guidance
- Grief support for the family for 2 weeks after the death, including 2 weekly check-ins, assistance with death related phone calls, and support in coordinating a meal train or other logistical needs.
MEET YOUR COACH
My journey toward end of life care began when I was just five years old, with the sudden and tragic suicide of my father. My mother, wanting to protect my sister and me, didn’t allow us to attend his funeral. I don’t remember exactly what she told us—only that he was gone and would never return. I’ve often wondered if being shielded from that experience sparked my lifelong curiosity about dying and death.
In my 20s, I briefly considered studying Mortuary Science but ultimately chose a different path in helping others—becoming certified in Holistic Health Coaching and Massage Therapy. Still, the thought of supporting people through death never left my mind.
That pull became undeniable in 2006, when my maternal grandmother fell gravely ill shortly after her 80th birthday. Our family gathered at her side. I massaged her feet, kept her lips moist, spoke to her, and simply sat in quiet presence. Even unconscious, she maintained her dignity—insisting, in her own way, that her dentures remain in place. The next morning, my mother and I stood on either side of her bed, holding her hands and reassuring her it was okay to go. Minutes later, she took her final breath.
That experience awakened something in me. I learned about Death Doulas, but at the time, training was only available in Europe. I tucked the idea away, knowing it would one day return.
In 2021, it did. I discovered a local “Green Cemetery” and attended a moving presentation about natural
burial options. Not long after, I was present for the green burial of a dear friend—an experience that cemented my calling. With the encouragement of the cemetery’s caretaker, I pursued my End of Life Doula certification through a Denver-based organization.
Today, I bridge the gap between clinical care and family support, helping people go beyond fear to create meaningful, dignified, and personalized end of life experiences. My work is about more than dying—it’s about honoring life, love, and legacy.
In my 20s, I briefly considered studying Mortuary Science but ultimately chose a different path in helping others—becoming certified in Holistic Health Coaching and Massage Therapy. Still, the thought of supporting people through death never left my mind.
That pull became undeniable in 2006, when my maternal grandmother fell gravely ill shortly after her 80th birthday. Our family gathered at her side. I massaged her feet, kept her lips moist, spoke to her, and simply sat in quiet presence. Even unconscious, she maintained her dignity—insisting, in her own way, that her dentures remain in place. The next morning, my mother and I stood on either side of her bed, holding her hands and reassuring her it was okay to go. Minutes later, she took her final breath.
That experience awakened something in me. I learned about Death Doulas, but at the time, training was only available in Europe. I tucked the idea away, knowing it would one day return.
In 2021, it did. I discovered a local “Green Cemetery” and attended a moving presentation about natural
burial options. Not long after, I was present for the green burial of a dear friend—an experience that cemented my calling. With the encouragement of the cemetery’s caretaker, I pursued my End of Life Doula certification through a Denver-based organization.
Today, I bridge the gap between clinical care and family support, helping people go beyond fear to create meaningful, dignified, and personalized end of life experiences. My work is about more than dying—it’s about honoring life, love, and legacy.
FAQS
What is an End of Life Doula?
End of Life Doula is a non-medical companion of the dying loved one and their families
How is an End of Life Doula different from a Hospice Care nurse?
End of Life Doulas do not take the place of hospice personnel; rather they complement other services that a dying loved one and their families may be receiving through hospice or palliative care
End of Life Doula care might be a stretch for my budget...
First – I suggest scheduling a Free consultation to learn more about my end of life planning & support package options.
Second – I understand this is an end of life investment in yourself & for your family assisting you, and here’s why it’s worth considering:
What is End of Life Doula Care?
Can I use this package in tandem with Hospice Care?
Yes! In fact, The Farewell Journey package is designed to compliment Hospice & Palliative care. Many families found that our work together helped them:
End of Life Doula is a non-medical companion of the dying loved one and their families
- End of Life Doulas provide physical, emotional, spiritual, & practical support
- End of Life Doulas may work with families from initial diagnosis through bereavement
How is an End of Life Doula different from a Hospice Care nurse?
End of Life Doulas do not take the place of hospice personnel; rather they complement other services that a dying loved one and their families may be receiving through hospice or palliative care
- Provide Compassionate Bedside manner
- Engage in Regulation-Free conversations
- Consistent One on One care for the dying loved one
- Become Acquainted with dying loved one as a whole person
- Support Family members in the care of their dying loved one
End of Life Doula care might be a stretch for my budget...
First – I suggest scheduling a Free consultation to learn more about my end of life planning & support package options.
Second – I understand this is an end of life investment in yourself & for your family assisting you, and here’s why it’s worth considering:
- Compare proactively investing in you and your family with “The Farewell Journey” to unnecessary emergency room visits ($1500-$3000 expense per visit) with better planning and comfort care
- This package provides skilled support and guidance and can reduce the need for family to take time off from work
- Consider the value of quality end of life experiences:
- Enhanced comfort & dignity during the dying process
- Feeling calm & peaceful for both the dying person & family
- More meaningful final conversations and closure opportunities
- How the family benefits from having that consistent support person
- Help prevent burn out
- Be better prepared for what to expect & reducing crisis situations
- Receive emotional comfort that may prevent long-term trauma or complicated grief
- Gain practical guidance that helps families feel more confident & less overwhelmed
- Enhanced comfort & dignity during the dying process
What is End of Life Doula Care?
- Identifying goals and priorities
- Creating a life review or legacy project
- Facilitating advanced care planning
- Being available and on-call for the family
- Providing Respite care, either during the day or at night
- Keeping vigil at the bedside during the active phase of dying
- Creating ceremony or ritual
- Assisting the family in after-death care
- Promoting self-care for the family
- Offering Bereavement support
Can I use this package in tandem with Hospice Care?
Yes! In fact, The Farewell Journey package is designed to compliment Hospice & Palliative care. Many families found that our work together helped them:
- Feel confident in advocating for their dying loved one
- Bridge the gap between communication and care
- Secure extra support during high need situations
Book your Free End of Life Doula Consult with me today to start planning a meaningful end of life experience
