What is a bereavement doula?

A bereavement doula or grief doula is a person who sits with, guides, supports, and helps families who are experiencing the loss of a their beloveds including a baby (whether that loss is through abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss or a diagnosis) children, partners, parents, pets and friends.

Why do I need specialized care for my grief?

“The reality is that you will grieve forever.”  - Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Darling soul, if you want to tap into the fullness and richness of life, you cannot go this forever alone. The only way to regain access to your wholeness in and after loss is to, simply, grieve. When you are able to grieve with those who know grief, this can be can especially rewarding. Grieving in itself is a healing path; one with no set destination and yet, greater peace and ease can rise up.

Around here, we think of grief as The Great Connector, by the way. Because, as you get to know your own grief, you will find that you aren’t actually alone in it. All mothers, fathers, parents, birth workers and people grieve. And while not all of that grief is attached to loss of life, death is one of the few things we can be certain to meet in this one precious life. Which means if you have loved, you will at some point know loss. All of us will.

When do I contact a bereavement doula?

We know that every situation is different. You can reach out anytime, inclusive of diagnosis, when transition seems imminent and/or after loss. For ongoing grief, I have partnered with Lanita Ugstad to offer in person and virtual gatherings. Community matters because you matter. (Scroll down to learn more)

Will you come to my home or the hospital?

I’m here to meet you where you need me most. As a Phoenix area bereavement doula based out of the East Valley, I will sit with you in the trenches. You can expect care in the labor & delivery after birth trauma or loss; the NICU when loss seems imminent; the ICU while your loved one transitions; and/or once you arrive home to provide presence, nourishment, planning and care.

What can bereavement doula care look like?

As an inclusive bereavement doula, I have supported the most incredible humans within all loving family dynamics through and beyond loss since my work in NICU family support beginning in 2011. With over a decade of Ayurvedic postpartum care and Integrative life coaching in my pocket today, beyond bereavement doula care, I am a student of spiritual direction, providing an extra level of tender love & compassion through both anam cara or soul friendship through all of the big questions that come up about good, God and grief. I also offer guidance in holistic practices nurturing, grounding, and honoring the body, mind and soul at the intersection of loss. Some of these options include nourishing care packages, setting up a meal train, Belly Binding for womb bearers and grief specific herbs and oils alongside a wide network of support in Arizona.

In addition to embodied integration of grief, I lovingly support lactation after loss; rite, ritual and memorial/funeral planning; resourcing for more complex needs including fertility, mental wellness, pelvic floor PT, chronic illness, trauma, and long term grief support; and soul tending for professionals in the birth and postpartum industry who routinely witness loss and may be experiencing compassion fatigue.

What kind of investment is bereavement care?

Bereavement care packages start at $550 for four hours of in person (or eight virtual visits) full of heart-centered support, guidance, planning and care plus,

• cultivation of sacred rites, rituals, and practices

• unlimited access to our private Grief Group full of resouces, guides, worksheets, articles, a book list and more

• a wide network of safe colleagues and peers

• the ability to reach me during office hours via text and email

• four 45-minute video calls as additional connection points

• virtual clients will receive eight virtual sessions

Looking for an inductory call? Click here to book an individual soul care session.

You can also message me to gift a loved one care.

What do your gatherings or events look like?

This Spring & Summer, Jennifer will co-facilitate several events with soul sister & friend Lanita Ugstad, a trauma informed yoga teacher bringing mindfulness & equine-assisted coaching to Arizona and beyond.

Hope & Healing, April 12 | Mesa, AZ This sacred circle & in person container is specifically for Birth Trauma and Loss. Women and mothers on all grieving paths are welcome to attend, share, listen and/or create art with us, regardless of whether your experience was 10 days ago or 10+ years.

Good  Grief, May 17- 19 | Mesa, AZ Harnessing the power of Grief As The Great Connector, this weekend-long intensive with adjacent Full Moon circles will change the relationship that you have not only with your grief story, but your life.

Full Moon Grief Circles | Zoom

Cultivate ongoing community with wisdom, worksheets & practices in alignment with the cyclical nature of grief.

Check out all our gatherings here.