About AMA Consulting LLC

Legacy planning from a death doula involves assisting individuals in documenting and preserving their values, wishes, and personal stories as they approach the end of life. A death doula, also known as an end-of-life doula or death midwife, is a professional who provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals and their families during the dying process.

Legacy planning focuses on helping individuals create a meaningful and lasting legacy that reflects their life experiences, values, and desires. It goes beyond the legal aspects of estate planning and encompasses the emotional and personal aspects of leaving a legacy. Here are some key components of legacy planning from a death doula:

1. Storytelling: Death doulas encourage individuals to share their life stories, memories, and experiences. They may facilitate conversations and provide guidance on how to document these stories, whether through writing, audio recordings, videos, or other mediums.

2. Values and Wishes: Death doulas assist individuals in clarifying their values and articulating their end-of-life wishes. This can involve discussing preferences for medical care, funeral or memorial arrangements, charitable contributions, and other aspects of one's legacy.

3. Legacy Projects: Death doulas may help individuals undertake specific legacy projects, such as writing a memoir, creating a photo album, compiling a recipe book, or completing unfinished creative works. These projects serve as tangible expressions of one's life and can be passed down to future generations.

4. Rituals and Ceremonies: Death doulas recognize the importance of meaningful rituals and ceremonies in honoring a person's life. They may help individuals plan and organize personalized ceremonies or rituals that reflect their values and beliefs.

5. Family Involvement: Death doulas often involve the person's family and loved ones in the legacy planning process. They facilitate open and honest conversations, ensuring that everyone understands and respects the individual's wishes and desires.

6. Emotional Support: Legacy planning can bring up intense emotions and reflections on mortality. Death doulas provide compassionate support, holding space for individuals to explore their feelings, fears, and hopes. They offer comfort and guidance throughout the process.

Overall, legacy planning from a death doula is a holistic approach that recognizes the importance of preserving one's personal legacy and values. It focuses on fostering connection, meaning, and a sense of completion as individuals approach the end of life.

The 11th hour services provided by a death doula refer to the support and assistance we offer in the final hours or moments leading up to a person's death. These services aim to ensure comfort, peace, and emotional support for the dying individual and their loved ones. Here are some common 11th hour services we provide:

1. Comfort measures help create a soothing and peaceful environment for the dying person. They may provide guidance on positioning, gentle touch, or suggest comfort measures such as adjusting pillows, playing calming music, or diffusing essential oils.

2. Presence and companionship: Doulas offer a calming presence and emotional support to both the dying person and their loved ones during this time. They are there to listen, provide reassurance, and be a source of comfort.

3. Communication facilitation: Doulas can assist in facilitating communication between the dying person and their loved ones. They may help facilitate conversations, ensure that important messages are conveyed, or simply create a space for loved ones to express their feelings and share their final words.

4. Emotional support: Doulas provide emotional support not only to the dying person but also to their family and loved ones. They understand the complexities of the end-of-life journey and offer a compassionate and non-judgmental presence during this difficult time.

5. Vigil planning: Doulas can assist in planning a vigil, which is a period of staying present with the dying person during their final hours. They may provide guidance on creating a peaceful and meaningful environment, including the use of candles, sacred objects, or favorite mementos.

6. Support for family and friends: Doulas offer guidance and support to family members and friends who may be present during the dying process. They help address questions, concerns, and emotions that may arise, ensuring that everyone feels supported and informed.

7. Spiritual support: Doulas can provide spiritual support according to the beliefs and preferences of the dying person and their loved ones. This may involve facilitating discussions, providing resources for spiritual practices, or connecting the individual with clergy or spiritual leaders if desired.

8. Comfort for physical symptoms: While doulas do not provide medical care, they may offer suggestions for comfort measures to alleviate physical symptoms that the dying person may be experiencing. This can include positioning, hydration, mouth care, or other non-invasive measures.

9. Guidance on signs of approaching death: Doulas can help educate and prepare the family and loved ones for the signs and symptoms that may occur as death approaches. They can provide information on what to expect, offer reassurance, and help normalize the process.

10. Assistance with documenting final wishes: Doulas may assist the dying person in documenting their final wishes regarding end-of-life care, funeral arrangements, and other important decisions. They can provide guidance on advanced directives, living wills, or conversations about organ donation, if desired.

11. After-death guidance: In addition to the 11th hour services, doulas can offer support and guidance to the family after the death has occurred. This can include assistance with making immediate arrangements, connecting with funeral homes, or providing resources for grief support.

The goal is to provide comfort, support, and a compassionate presence during this sacred and challenging time.

After someone has died, death doulas provide various services to support the grieving family and loved ones. Some of the services death doulas offer after death include:

1. Emotional support: Death doulas provide a compassionate presence and emotional support to the family during the initial stages of grief. They offer a safe space for individuals to express their feelings, fears, and concerns about the loss.

2. Guidance on funeral arrangements: Doulas can assist with funeral planning and provide guidance on various options available. They may help the family navigate the process of choosing a funeral home, making decisions about burial or cremation, and selecting appropriate memorial services or rituals.

3. Legacy work: Death doulas can help families preserve and honor the memory of the deceased by facilitating discussions about the person's life story and values. They may assist in creating memory books, writing letters, or recording video messages as a way to preserve the individual's legacy.

4. Bereavement support: Doulas continue to provide support to the family and loved ones in the aftermath of the death. They offer a listening ear, emotional comfort, and resources for coping with grief. They may also connect individuals with bereavement support groups or counseling services.

5. Practical assistance: Death doulas can help with practical tasks that need to be addressed after a death. This may include organizing belongings, notifying relevant authorities or institutions, and assisting with paperwork such as death certificates, insurance claims, and estate matters.

6. Facilitating rituals and ceremonies: Doulas may assist in planning and facilitating memorial services, funerals, or other rituals to honor the life of the deceased. They can provide guidance on creating meaningful ceremonies and incorporating personal touches.

7. Resource and referral assistance: Death doulas often have connections within the end-of-life community and can provide referrals to other professionals or services that may be needed, such as grief counselors, estate lawyers, or support organizations.