Small Business Spotlight: chemin
Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 2:29AMArticle by Becky Fillinger, photo provided
A Conversation with Death Doula, Wendy Brown
Wendy BrownWe typically associate the word doula with childbirth. But there is a growing movement of Death Doulas – those professionals who bridge the gap between the medical and emotional/spiritual aspects of death for patients and families. We talked to Wendy Brown, owner of chemin, a Minneapolis Death Doula. She told us about why she entered the profession, services provided and local events to learn more about the movement.
Q: Why did you become a Death Doula? Why did this appeal to you as a career option?
A: My interest around end of life began during 2016 when I lost both my beloved Uncle Will as well as my sister's daughter in utero. I began to notice how difficult and seldom people talk about death, a clear fear when recognizing death is a part of life. I also began a Health Care Directive Workshop, Speaking of Dying MN, which opened my eyes to the many options while planning one’s end of life wishes. My sister Sarah Longacre, a Birth Doula, mentioned the idea of Death Doula work and I soon dove right into doula training research. Soon I discovered INLEDA, the International End of Life Doula Association, and picked up the book, Caring for the Dying: The Doula Approach to a Meaningful Death, written by Henry Fersko-Weiss, the founder of INELDA. I immediately felt if I did not pursue becoming a doula as a profession, which I indeed did, I would want to support my family and friends with finding deep meaning and comfort with care given at the end of life.
Q: How does a person train to be a Death Doula? Are there degrees or certifications available?
A: There are multiple Death Doula trainings offered all around the country. The most well known in my experience include:
- https://inelda.org
- https://www.henryferskoweiss.com (He was the founder of INELDA, left last year to start his own program.)
- https://www.consciousdyinginstitute.com
- https://goingwithgrace.com
- University of Vermont
NEDA, the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance also lists different trainings on their site: https://www.nedalliance.org/trainer-directory.html
Unlike Birth Doulas, there is no national certification to become a Death Doula. Each program is completely different from the others. I trained with INELDA and decided to become certified as the feedback around my hands on experience was valuable. All this said, there are those with no training or certification who are Death Doulas through their experiences around end of life and natural ease with death.
Here's a bit more on the certification process that might be of interest: https://www.nedalliance.org/about_eold_certification.html.
As a NEDA member, a Death Doula can decide if they would like to earn a NEDA EOL Doula Proficiency Badge: https:www.nedalliance.org/proficiency-assessment.html.
Q: You're a founding member of the Minnesota Death Collaborative. Could you tell us more about this organization?
A: The Minnesota Death Collaborative is a resource for bridging the gap from life to death, for navigating the journey and reconnecting to the natural aspects of death. MNDC was created as a resource for those both in the death field as well as individuals searching for their own support around end of life. We embrace and honor death as a part of life.
You may sign up for our monthly newsletter here. Each month we welcome incredible, passionate speakers to our Community Call - these opportunities, as well as past recordings, are part of the MNDC membership. If you’re not sure about joining on one of our membership levels, we welcome you to attend a few community calls as our guest. Our January 11 Zoom meeting will feature local mortician Angela Woosley – bring your questions and learn more about natural burials, green cremation – she’ll answer any questions you have about working with morticians and funeral homes.
Q: Do you help clients write legacy letters? Are there other legacy projects?
A: Yes, creating legacy letters is one form of a Legacy Project I focus on with my clients, as well as written stories, audio and video recordings, memory boxes and albums. It’s a profound experience to gather a person’s stories, be it at the final stages of life or with no diagnosis in view. My gift is to listen deeply to what each chapter has meant to my clients — the highs, the lows, and the turning points. The exercise is often more than simply chronicling one's history. For many, creating a Legacy Project can be a spiritual process as we look at the significant moments in a life, what one has learned, valued, and believed, as well as reflect on the impact one life has had on others and how others have impacted them. Legacy Projects provide an invaluable opportunity to find inner peace and control while deepening the exploration of one’s story. It also provides family and friends an ongoing relationship with their loved one, a touchstone of the most significant kind.
Q: Are Death Doula services covered by Medicare or other insurance plans?
A: Unlike Birth Doulas, currently Death Doula services are not covered by insurance. That said, many Death Doulas support families and their loved ones through pro bono action. Slowly we are seeing hospice homes and health care providers include Death Doulas as a part of their support system. As Death Doulas can provide a broad range of support, from spiritual and emotional help to physical comfort and logistical assistance, many people find Death Doulas an important service, along with hospice or palliative care.
Q: How may we follow your news?
A: The MNDC newsletter and our Facebook page is a wonderful resource for local and national information around end-of-life support. Personally, you can follow me on my Instagram account and website: https://www.mychemin.com.
