Compassionate Closure Care End-of-Life Doula Support
Holistic care for you and your loved ones during transitions.
What is an End-of-Life Doula?
As an end-of-life doula, I offer non-medical holistic support that encompasses emotional, spiritual, and practical care. My approach is tailored to honor the unique needs and beliefs of each individual and their families ensuring a compassionate presence before, during, and after death.
Catalina Cardenas, MS, LMFT
I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT) and
certified end-of-life doula, with experience supporting
individuals and families through life’s challenges and
transitions. This background brings invaluable skills to
end-of-life doula work by enhancing the ability to offer
deeply compassionate and effective support. I offer
empathic communication, meaning I provide a non-
judgemental environment where individuals and
families feel heard and supported. I am also equipped
with grief and loss expertise. I am a Certified Grief
Educator, helping me be prepared to support families
through anticipatory grief and the mourning process
that follows.
My Services
I provide tailored support for
individuals and families during life’s
most sensitive moments. My work
centers on offering personalized end-
of-life care that prioritizes dignity,
peace, and emotional well-being.
Through my specialized packages, I
cater to the diverse needs of those
navigating terminal illness or
significant life transitions. Each
package offers a blend of emotional,
spiritual, and practical care, ranging
from grief counseling and legacy
planning to holistic therapies and vigil
services.
A’LA CARTE SERVICES
1. BEDSIDE SUPPORT
This care includes emotional support to reduce fear and isolation, empowerment to help individuals make informed choices about their care, and advocacy to ensure their wishes and dignity are honored throughout their experience.
2. RESPITE CARE
Respite care offers short-term relief for primary caregivers by providing temporary support for their loved ones. This allows caregivers time to rest, recharge, and attend to personal needs, helping prevent burnout while ensuring continued quality care for the individual.
3. CONDUCT LIVING FUNERALS
Living funerals are pre-funeral ceremonies held to honor individuals while they are still alive. This meaningful service allows the celebrated person to be present, offering a chance to laugh, cry, and share memories with loved ones—creating a heartfelt tribute and sense of closure in real time.
4. CONSULTATIONS ON VIGIL PLANNING
Vigil planning consultations are offered to support families in preparing for a loved one’s final moments. These sessions include discussions on the family’s needs and education on the dying process, helping ensure a meaningful, peaceful, and personalized end-of-life experience.
5. MOURNING/GRIEF SUPPORT
Mourning and grief support offers compassionate emotional support and grief education to help individuals navigate the pain of loss, process emotions, and find a path toward healing and acceptance.
6. POST-LOSS SUPPORT
Post-loss support is available and provides a combination of practical assistance, emotional support, and after-care services following a loved one’s passing. This includes help with designing and organizing a memorial service or celebration of life, providing comfort and guidance during a difficult transition.
7. POST-LOSS HOME ORGANIZATION
Post-loss home organization services are offered to provide emotional support, hands-on assistance, and consultations to help sort, organize, or repurpose belongings after a loss—creating space for healing while honoring memories.
8. FUNERAL/BURIAL SUPPORT
Funeral and burial support is available to offer families emotional support, practical guidance, and assistance with gathering resources tailored to their specific needs—ensuring a respectful and supported farewell process.
9. CAPTURE LEGACY OF LIFE
Legacy of life services provide emotional support while helping capture a loved one’s story through videos, photo collages or albums, and personal narratives—preserving meaningful memories for generations to come.
10. CONSULTATION ON WRITING END-OF-LIFE DOCUMENTS
End-of-life document consultations offers guidance and support in writing important documents such as living wills, advance directives, eulogies, and obituaries—ensuring clarity, dignity, and the honoring of final wishes.
PACKAGES
ETERNAL TRIBUTE PACKAGE
This package conveys a sense of timeless remembrance, blending
practical funeral services with personal legacy capturing.
***This package includes #8 Funeral/Burial Support and #9 Capturing Legacy of Life***
- A FREE initial, in person or virtual consult (approx. 30 minutes in duration)
- 6 scheduled (1.5-3hour) weekly visits which can focus on creating visual memories such as memory book or digital archive; writing letters or messages to future generations; practical support in planning your loved ones funeral/burial
- Unlimited phone/email access
- 1 post passage visit to to process the experience with loved ones
GRACEFUL HEALING PACKAGE
This package conveys a sense of compassion and support throughout the grieving process, emphasizing the care provided to help families heal and honor their loved one with grace and dignity.
***This package includes #5 Mourning/Grief Support; #6Post Loss Support; and #7 Post Loss Home Organization.***
- A free initial, in person or virtual consult (approx. 30 minutes in duration)
- 4 scheduled (1-3hour) visits which can focus on helping clients and/or their family design and organize a memorial service or celebration of life, help create a memorial service for loved ones near or far, making sure that gifted items find their new homes, assistance with organizing and cleaning out spaces.
- Unlimited phone/email access
- 1 Post-passage visit to process the experience with loved ones
PEACEFUL PASSAGE PACKAGE
HEALING HEARTS SUPPORT PACKAGE
This package emphasizes the care, thoughtfulness, and preparation offered to create a dignified and peaceful transition for both the individual and their family.
***This package includes #10 consultation of writing end-of-life documents and #6 Consultation on Post Loss Support.***
- A free initial, in person or virtual consult (approx. 30 min in duration)
- 4 scheduled (1-2 hour) weekly visits which can focus on advance directives, living wills, wishes for care, legacy work, eulogy & obituary writing, listing items that you want to gift to others, writing final messages, and exploring memorial/celebration of life wishes.
- Unlimited phone & email access
HEALING HEARTS SUPPORT PACKAGE
HEALING HEARTS SUPPORT PACKAGE
This package reflects the compassionate and holistic care provided to individuals and families after a loss, offering emotional support and guidance throughout the grieving process.
***This package includes #5 Mourning/Grief Support and #7 Post Loss Home Organization***
- A free initial, in person or virtual consult (approx. 30 min in duration)
- 8 scheduled (1-2hour) visits starting 1 month after loss (can be weekly visits (total of 2 months) or bi-weekly visits (total of 4 months.) These visits will focus on immediate emotional needs following the loss of a loved one, explore coping strategies with gentle guidance through the ups and downs of the grieving process, engage in healing activities and meaningful rituals, explore healthy ways to process grief, linkage to professionals for ongoing support.
- Follow up call 6 months after Loss
LEGACY CELEBRATION PACKAGE
LEGACY CELEBRATION PACKAGE
This package offers a unique and deeply meaningful way to honor and reflect upon a person’s life while they are still living. This service includes a personal “living funeral,” allowing individuals to gather with family and friends to share memories, stories, and expressions of love and gratitude.
***This package includes #3 Conducting Living Funerals and #9 Capturing Legacy of Life***
- A FREE initial, in person or virtual consult (approx. 30 minutes in
duration) - 4 scheduled (1.5-3hour) weekly visits which can focus on creating visual memories such as memory book or digital archive; writing letters or messages to future generations as well as supporting, planning, and conducting a living funeral
- 1 post passage visit to process the experience with loved ones
SERENITY SUPPORT PACKAGE
LEGACY CELEBRATION PACKAGE
This package is a calm compassionate, and comprehensive care provided through respite support, bedside presence, and vigil planning, while reflecting the peaceful transition this package is designed to offer.
***This package includes #2 Respite Care Support and #4 Consultation on Vigil Planning***
- A free initial, in person or virtual consult (approx. 30 minutes in duration)
- 8 scheduled (1.5-2.5hr) weekly visits which can focus on the immediate
needs of the client and/or family (as described above.) - Unlimited phone/email access
- 1 Post passage visit to process the experience with loved ones
CREATE YOUR OWN PACKAGE
IF EXISTING PACKAGES DON’T MEET YOUR NEEDS, YOU
CAN TAILOR YOUR OWN SERVICE PLAN WITH THE ASPECT
OF CARE THAT REFLECTS WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO
YOU.
WHETHER YOU ARE SEEKING:
- * EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
- *ASSISTANCE WITH LEGACY CREATION
- *OR GUIDANCE THROUGH PRACTICAL MATTERS
A CUSTOMIZED APPROACH ALLOWS FOR FLEXIBILITY AND PERSONALIZATION.
WE WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES TO CREATE A PLAN THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR VALUES, WISHES, AND UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Free Consultation
Book a free 30-minute consultation with me to learn more about how I can help you achieve your goals.