Holistic,
affordable,
end -of -life support
What is a Doula?
‘Doula’ is a Greek word meaning ‘person of service’.
In days gone by, every village had a Doula who could be called upon to support people during major personal events, such as birth or in this case, death.
A Doula is a non-medical role that offers holistic, affordable and personalised end- of-life planning, care, and after-death support.
Together, we can create a peaceful, personalised transition for someone who is dying, through to after-death, holistic funeral care.
KI Doula Services is a local service for local people to help explore end-of-life options. We all have a strong connection with the place we call home, the land, the sea, and the environment. No-one needs to walk this journey alone.
What is KI Doula Services?
KI Doula Services complements the health services on Kangaroo Island.
Facing the end of life can be overwhelming, challenging, chaotic and fearful. But preparing for the end of life can help to alleviate much of the confusion and distress people may feel. The simple act of planning and documenting wishes can be a profound act of love for those left behind.
Support from KI Doula Services might begin long before someone is faced with the end of life.
It might involve helping you to file an Advance Care Directive, outlining your preferences at the time of death; supporting you to die at home or in hospital; guiding a family through after–death care and organising a family funeral; or arranging for a traditional service.
KI Doula Services is discreet, confidential and affordable, so that a life may be celebrated and honoured to suit personal values, beliefs and culture.
What support can you ask for?
- Community education and information
- Sourcing equipment and physical resources
- Organising for the care of children, pets, or livestock
- Helping you coordinate a team around a person
- Help to create a calm and personalised space for death at home, or in another facility
- Support with end-of-life paperwork
- Assistance with creating legacy materials
- Creating ceremony and ritual for a ‘Living Wake’.
- Coordinating provisions and preparations for natural burial on private land
- Advocating for your rights and choices in accordance with your belief system and values
- Teaching simple relaxation and meditation techniques to deal with stress, anxiety or pain
- Enabling you to hold vigil, or support you and those close to you through the dying process
- Assistance for you and those closest to plan for your funeral, and holistic end of life care
- Coordinating and supporting funeral planning, and immediate after-death care
- Working with you to create & personalise ceremony to farewell someone you love
- Providing funeral celebrancy if required
Ceremony & Celebration
Thanks Heidi. The words you read out during the service were just beautiful. I highly recommend your services. I think K would have been very happy. Thanks so much for your support for making this happen,
~ Shauna
Doula Care
I can feel when [paid] carers are resentful. I hear it in their footsteps around the house and feel it in the room. When I couldn't sit, you just scooped me up so gently. I could feel so much love and warmth in that touch. That's all I want. That's all that matters.
~ Gigi
Doula Consult
Thankyou so much for an enjoyable and instructive visit yesterday. Solved many problems and provided answers to our questions and concerns. What a wonderful service you've created. It has arrived just in time for us.
~ Pat
Dying To Know
We are thrilled you are doing this. It's so important.....so humane. There is much to think about and much relief in the information. So grateful to you.
~ Margi
Healing
I never imagined how healing it could be for us to bury our baby on our own property. To have a place where our child is physically with us. To sit with him and talk with him. My heart breaks that so many are unaware of the choices they have. It's a terrible, painful time but you stepped us through the confusion of it all Heidi.
~ Lilly
Holistic Planning & Support
The whole experience from start to finish was wonderful. I have nothing but fond memories all thanks to you and your calming, gentle nature and professionalism.
~ Michelle
Supporting Grief
Words are simply not enough Heidi, but all I can do is thank you from the deepest part of me.
~ Jeff
Traditional Burial
From the very beginning, Heidi & Kath worked with us, listening to our requirements to ensure that our final farewell was personal and tailored to suit our family’s wishes of a burial grave side service. Nothing was too much trouble and their calm, compassionate nature gave us all peace of mind about leaving our family member in their care.
~ Kel
About Heidi Grieg
Before training as an End-of-Life Doula and funeral guide, Heidi worked for many years as an educator and advocate for young people and their families in the areas of mental health and disability, and has over twenty years experience as a meditation teacher. Initially a nurse in both the public and private systems, Heidi also serves the Kangaroo Island Community as an Ambulance Officer. Heidi has a calm, practical and down- to-earth approach, which fully honours the wishes of individuals and their families so they may experience death as an important, intimate and loving part of life.
About Island Holistic Funerals
Established by Kath Bald, Island Holistic Funerals provide the only local funeral service on Kangaroo Island offering the full range of funeral services. Please get in touch for contact details.