In our initial session we can chat about things both practical and emotional, and you can let me know if you think you need more practical, emotional or spiritual support, or a combination of all three.
If you want assistance getting paperwork such as your Advanced Care Directive in order, and organising all the life admin details for your next of kin and/or executor so they can more easily attend to the death admin process, I can go through that with you.
If and when you feel ready, we can talk about your end of life plans and funeral plans. Do you want to die at home, in a hospital/hospice or in an aged care facility? What kind of funeral and/or memorial would you like, what music would you like to be played, who you would like to speak, who do you want as celebrant? (I have been the celebrant for several of my doula clients, and am happy to take on this role for you, alternatively you may already have someone else in mind.) Where you would like the ceremony to take place? Do you even want a funeral? Would you like to have a living wake? And so on.
We can also discuss whether you wish to be buried or cremated. Water cremation is not common but is another possible choice in certain parts of NSW, and hopefully in the not too distant future terramation (human composting) will be a legal and available option as well.
Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) became accessible in NSW in November 2023, and if you want to have a conversation about this option we can discuss it. I have firsthand experience with this new legally accessible option as I have supported a client throughout this process and I was with them when they died peacefully at home.
We can meet in person: I can come to your home, or you can visit my tarot office in Newtown (please note however, it is on the first floor of an old building with limited accessibility – no lift, 15 stairs to the landing and then five rather steep steps up to my office. If mobility is an issue for you, then unfortunately this space is not the best option). Sometimes folks want to meet at their favourite cafe, or in a local park – please let me know your preference.
We can also meet online, via Zoom/FaceTime/WhatsApp or Signal if you wish. Sometimes people prefer to meet online for the ease, but don’t necessarily feel comfortable with a live call. If this is the case for you, after an initial in person or online call we can communicate via audio messages, sending each questions and answers, and adding in email or texting where necessary.
Above all, a doula session is personalised just for you. We can go at whatever pace you like, we can be as practical, creative, expansive, structured or loose as you like. We can change the pace at any point. What worked for you one month may not be what you want the next month. The purpose of these sessions is to support you, both where you’re at in this moment and adapting to the changes ahead.
Sarah Barry ~ Mortality Doula & Funeral celebrant 