Death is as much a part of life as birth. And, just like a birth, it is smoother when we are prepared for it. Not that we can control the dying process, but there is a lot we can do to make the final stages of life more meaningful and peaceful. To discuss the end-of-life process, I am speaking with Janie Rakow, the co-founder of Farewell Doula. As an End of Life Doula, she journeys with the dying person and their loved ones through the end-of-life process. She fills the gaps in hospice care and helps create legacies, memories, conduct rituals, plan vigils and create guided visualizations. In this episode, we discuss how to bring more meaning and less suffering to the end of life, and ways of bringing dignity and care to death.

 

“We should be saying all these wonderful, intimate things before they die so they can know and hear it.” [16:44]

 

"When someone is dying, hearing is the last sense to go; so they can hear you and your stories.” [18:44]

 

“People are going to be born and people are going to die; we need to normalise and not make it this big hidden secret." [24:07]

 

“Do the things and say the things right now because we never know how much time any of us have.” [30:01]

 

“Our body is designed to die so we know how to die; it is a peaceful process.” [31:57]

 

•    What is an End of Life Doula? [2:41]

•    Janie’s journey to becoming an End of Life Doula [6:29]

•    The ways an End of Life Doula assists in the death process [14:50]

•    When someone passes in an institution versus at home [20:49]

•    How children deal with the passing of a loved one [23:29]

•    Why death is taboo [24:00]

•    The dying process [29:29]

•    Advice for others who have lost a loved one [32:35]

Janie’s Socials: 

https://farewelldoula.com 

  

https://www.instagram.com/the.master.coach/