Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. Learn more about what to expect from end of life services and virtual deathcare services from Empowered Pathways and what to expect when working with an End-of-Life Doula.
What Is an End-of-Life Doula?
Put simply, an End of Life Doula is someone who supports individuals at end of life. Death doulas are support professionals who offer non-judgmental and holistic support and education to those exploring death.
An End of Life Doula can choose to provide support to friends and family of the elderly, dying, or recently passed. End of life specialists educate and empower individuals to make decisions on their own end of life care. They can also be there to support and guide the family through the death and dying process.
An End of Life Doula offers information to the dying and their family, to help them become familiar with the normal and natural stages of dying. By demystifying the process, doulas can help to reduce fear and anxiety.
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Why Discuss & Plan Death?
Death has many unknowns, but it is also inevitable. Exploring your feelings about end of life can help you to approach this part of life with more understanding and comfort. End of life planning can prepare you and your family, should unexpected surprises or medical issues arise. Death planning can help you leave a legacy that provides you with a sense of peace. As individuals, caregivers, family members, and professionals, discussing death can also help us work through anxiety, depression, stress, and grief.
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What Do I Need to Plan a Better Death?
Everyone deserves a peaceful end of life and a "better death," but the definition of this is entirely up to you. Why not explore it? Planning for the end of life ahead of time can help you process your desires and wishes, set up Advance Directives or a living will, create a legacy project, hold a celebration of life, plan for hospice or death at home, prepare caregivers for the end stages, and more.
For many, the first step is to consult an End of Life Doula and/or begin considering what a "better death" means to you. This is a vital step for seniors or the elderly, as well as memory care individuals and caregivers. It can also be a therapeutic process for the terminally ill and their families.
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How Can an End-of-Life Doula Help Seniors?
End of Life specialists can help seniors organize their advance directives or living wills, find out more about how to create legal documents, celebrate their life through legacy projects, process feelings and emotions through creative writing, connect with loved ones, find companionship, understand death, and envision the most peaceful death possible.
End of Life Doulas can also offer emotional support and companionship, discuss important topics like funerals or vigil planning, provide community referrals, give virtual resources, and offer support/education for their caregivers.
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How Do End-of-Life Doulas Help Caregivers?
While caring immensely for their loved ones, caregivers do also carry an immense amount of emotional weight and stress on their shoulders. An End of Life Doula can help support and/or guide caregivers through their role in the end-of-life process so they can re-charge and re-set themselves while supporting their family or significant others.
An End of Life Doula can help caregivers with organization, education, resources, referrals, emotional support, respite services, creative projects, and more.
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Can End-of-Life Doulas Assist the Terminally Ill?
A recent diagnosis or a change in diagnosis can change an individual's outlook or shift focus for caregivers. End of Life Doulas can help clients get documents in order, celebrate life, organize belongings, examine the stages of death, create legacy projects, explore hospice or home death, and learn more about vigil planning. Doulas can also provide emotional support, respite care, and visitation services.
Ask about our guided nature walks in Volusia County, FL. Empowered Pathways also provides comprehensive virtual deathcare services for those who would like to meet with their doula in the comfort of their home.
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How Much Does an End of Life Doula Cost?
Every End of Life Doula sets their own service costs. You'll find the services at Empowered Pathways, LLC, inclusive and affordable. Some of our services are paid by invoice, but many of them can be purchased here on the website. Check our service options for complete information. If your service is not available online, your Doula will provide you with a customized pricing sheet by email after your initial chat or call. Please inquire during your discovery session.
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How Do I Purchase a Virtual or Digital-Pay Service?
If you're purchasing one of Empowered Pathways' virtual or digital-pay services, the payment button is on the same page as the booking registration. Book your service, then pay by credit or debit card to secure your spot.
When you schedule a session with Jessica, you will receive a confirmation email with a PayLink attached. If you do not checkout on the website, the PayLink will provide you with a quick and convenient checkout process.
Please note that payments must be made on the site or via the PayLink *at least two hours* before all consultations, virtual sessions, and Nature Walks in order for them to take place. Please email me at support@empoweredeol.com if you have any questions before your service.
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Are EOL Doulas Regulated?
No, at this time, there is no one governing body for EOL doulas. However, many organizations exist to support care and quality. There are several organizations who offer training and certification for doulas. Some doulas use these programs, while others get experience through volunteering or apprenticeship. Certain doulas have experience with death or the dying (like a former hospice worker).
At Empowered Pathways, our founder is a certified End of Life Doula and has years of experience advocating for adults, providing supportive care, serving in memory care roles, and serving during death and in hospice.
Jessica stays up to date through continuing education with the latest standards in end of life planning and end of life care. She is also a member of NEDA and FEOLDA. Check out her credentials and continuing education here.
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What Should I Know About Advance Directives?
An advance directive may also be known as a living will. It is a critical piece of end-of-life planning. Advance directives are written statements of your wishes (or your loved one's wishes) that are able to be carried out if you or a loved one become incapacitated.
There are many considerations when creating advance directives, and everyone's situation is different. An end of life doula like Jessica Dawkins of Empowered Pathways can help you create an advance directive or living will plan.
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What Is Vigil Planning?
An end-of-life vigil is the act of being with another person, such as a loved one, during their time of death. Vigil planning explores the vigil process for yourself or a loved one, so you can organize the plan before the vigil happens. Vigil planning can take an immense burden off the shoulders of individuals and their caregivers. An end-of-life doula can help you plan and facilitate the vigil process.
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What Is a Green Burial?
A Green Burial, also known as a natural burial, is an eco-friendly alternative to typical Western burial methods. It is becoming more popular for its environmentally-conscious approach and method that does not prevent decomposition and allows the body to be naturally recycled to the Earth.
To learn more about this end-of-life option, Book a Free Consultation with our end-of-life specialist, Jessica Dawkins.
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What Is Virtual Deathcare?
Virtual deathcare, or virtual end of life doula services, are those offered online. Not every doula provides virtual care, but you'll find it here at Empowered Pathways. Our Founder Jessica Dawkins is an experienced virtual educator, consultant, and support provider and offers a spectrum of doula services through outlets like Zoom.
Everyone deserves access to an end of life doula, but not everyone can travel. Furthermore, some clients want to do their planning in private or would like to build doula support into their busy schedule. Empowered Pathways' virtual end of life services are available to anyone in the United States of America.
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Are You Insured?
Yes. Empowered Pathways' End of Life Doula Jessica Dawkins carries active professional liability insurance for death doula services in Florida. You can obtain more information during your initial consultation.
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How Does Empowered Pathways Support the LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergent Communities?
Empowered Pathways' Owner and Certified End of Life Doula Jessica Dawkins understands the unique needs of the LGBTQ+, neurodivergent community, and individuals living with disabilities. You can rest assured that when you are a client of Empowered Pathways you are in a safe space.
Please explore our virtual services designed to empower individuals with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. Empowered Pathways' virtual end of life services are also designed for people with various transportation or mobility needs, individuals with unique cases, and individuals seeking confidentiality or privacy. Questions? Please feel free to email me, Jessica Dawkins, at support@empoweredpathways.com.
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How Do I Begin My Journey With an End-of-Life Doula?
The best way to see if End of Life Doula services are for you is to Schedule a Consultation. Tell your story and address questions or concerns.
Conversations with our Doula are free and require no obligation. Click here to schedule your complimentary 20-minute video consultation or free 15-minute consultation via text message.
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