COOPERATIVE MEMORIAL SOCIETY
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Services of a Death Doula
What is a Death Doula?
​
A death doula, also called an end-of-life doula or death midwife, is a trained professional who provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals nearing the end of their lives, as well as to their families and loved ones. Similar to how a birth doula supports individuals during childbirth, a death doula guides and assists individuals through the dying process, helping them navigate their feelings, fears, and wishes about death to create a meaningful and peaceful end-of-life experience.

Services a Death Doula May Provide:
  • Assisting with advanced care planning and decision-making.
  • Offering companionship and emotional support.
  • Facilitating communication between the dying person and their loved ones.
  • Helping create personalized rituals, ceremonies, or legacy projects to honor the individual’s life and wishes.
Death doulas aim to empower individuals with agency and dignity throughout the dying process. They often work alongside healthcare professionals, hospice teams, and caregivers to ensure the dying person's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met.
​​Meet Laura Silver, Death Doula and Guest Presenter at the CMS AGM in February 2024
Picture
Slide deck from the presentation
the_compassionate_role_of_a_death_doula.pdf
File Size: 8477 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Laura Silver, a Certified Death Doula based in Calgary, Alberta, is dedicated to compassionate care. With over 15 years of experience, she previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor and Project Manager in the Ontario healthcare system, contributing to various strategies and initiatives. Since 2016, Laura has led impactful projects in Alberta, including the creation of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program. As a Certified Lean Green Belt in Healthcare and PROSCI certified professional, Laura is committed to ensuring that every community has access to supportive resources for individuals to spend their final days in comfort and peace. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Home Hospice Association and chairs the Alberta Chapter of HHA, working towards her vision of every community having a local death doula. Laura's contact information is listed below. 
Watch Laura's Presentation: The Compassionate Role of a Death Doula
​Death Doula's In Calgary and Area
Person
Location
Background
Contact
Janet Pillay
​Dying the Dream
Calgary
Compassionately supporting those approaching end of life from receipt of terminal diagnosis through to bereavement. Specializing in bedside vigils to the actively dying.
​Email 
​Call/Text 403-680-6441
​Laura Silver
​Certified Death Doula
Director, Home Hospice Association
Calgary
  • ​Alberta Chapter Chair, Home Hospice Association
  • MAiD Subject Matter Expert
Laura Silver, a Certified Death Doula is dedicated to compassionate care. With over 15 years of experience, she previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor and Project Manager in the Ontario healthcare system, contributing to various strategies and initiatives. Since 2016, Laura has led impactful projects in Alberta, including the creation of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program. As a Certified Lean Green Belt in Healthcare and PROSCI certified professional, Laura is committed to ensuring that every community has access to supportive resources for individuals to spend their final days in comfort and peace. 
​403-478-9567
www.deathdoulalaura.ca
Death Doula's in Edmonton and Area
Organization
Location
Specialty
Contact 
Lee (Elicia) Andrus
​Edmonton
​Lee is a Spiritual Care Counselor/Chaplain in Edmonton and a Canadian Association for Spiritual Care Member. She works part time as a Chaplain at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton and is currently working on completing the Contemplative End of Life Doula Course through the Institute of Traditional Medicine.
[email protected]
Value
Value
Value
Value
Shelley Blair
The Blair Group
Edmonton
I assist families by being a companion to loved ones.  I spend beneficial time with them, allowing you to take care of yourself. My role is to provide support and comfort in a kind, compassionate manner that best suits the client and their family. I fill in the gap between medical professionals and caregivers in an unobtrusive, empathetic, and respectful manner.
780-996-6555
[email protected]
www.theblairgroup.ca
Rayne Johnson
End-of-life consultant, death doula, comfort touch (palliative massage) therapist, aromatherapist, public speaker, and educator. 
Edmonton
I support and assist the dying and their families through the final stages, decision-making, and post-death arrangements. I advocate, guide, and advise throughout the dying process and post-death period. My role is to help you navigate the chaos, make choices, and be your guide.

I can help you plan your wishes in advance, offering alternatives to standard hospital care and funerals.
For caregivers, I provide support and education to personalize care and reduce stress. My unique program, Sacred Aromas & Essential Oils, is designed just for you.
[email protected]
780-267-5007
​https://doingdeathcaredifferently.com
Death Doula's in Other Parts of Province
Organization
Location
Specialty
Contact 
Stacy Price 
Soul Garden: End of Life Care
​North of Calgary, Balzac to Olds
​My approach is practical, honest and simple. One of my passions is legacy gifts, ensuring that you are leaving behind something meaningful to you for your family and friends. I will also work to assist you in making sure your paperwork is in order or any other needs you may have.
​403-651-9488
[email protected]
​www.soulgardencare.ca
Tammy Vanderloh
Dignity & Grace Project Inc.
Medicine Hat & area
Certified End Of Life Doula and a Certified Nursing Aide. Passionate about providing Dignity & Grace around death and dying and leaving nothing unsaid or undone for our loved ones.
403-580-0762
[email protected]
https://dignitygraceproject.com
If you are a Death Doula and would like your information added to this list please contact us at 403-248-2044. 
More Information:
Post-death Care at Home
Resources Pre-Death
Resources Post-Death
CMS: Helping Albertans Plan for the Future with Confidence and Clarity.
Funeral Plans
Forms and Resources
Blog
Cooperative Memorial Society
PO Box 90084 RPO Airdrie
Airdrie AB T4B 0A2
1-403-248-2044  ​Toll free: 1-800-566-9959 
Membership Services Coordinator available by phone
​Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
​No answer? Leave a message - calls returned within 24 hours on weekdays. Sooner if urgent.
[email protected]
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  • Home
  • About
    • Governance >
      • Annual Meeting 2025 02 22
    • Newsletter
    • Volunteer or Donate
    • Testimonials
  • Membership
    • Purchase Membership
    • Sign up: Spanish
    • Sign up: Filipino
    • Member Login
    • Member Rights and Responsibilities
  • Special Events
    • Booking Group Presentations
  • Forms and Resources
  • Planning Ahead
    • Palliative Care Resources
    • Hospice Care Resources
    • Death Doulas and Home Death Care Providers
  • What to Do When a Member Dies
    • Planning a Meaningful Farewell >
      • Religious Traditions & Funerals
      • Alberta Municipal Cemeteries
      • Green Burial Grounds in Alberta
      • Selecting Readings for a Funeral
      • Selecting Music for a Funeral
      • Creating a Memorial Slideshow for a funeral
      • Including pets in funeral ceremonies
    • Grief Support
  • Funeral Home Partners and Member Plans
    • Calgary & Area: McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes
    • Edmonton & Area: Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes
    • Edmonton & Area: Serenity Funeral Services
    • Edmonton & Area: Trinity Funeral Home
    • Red Deer & Area: Parkland Funeral Home
    • Olds & Area: Heartland Funeral Services
    • Lethbridge & Area: Cornerstone Funeral Home
    • Medicine Hat & Area: Cook Southland Funeral Home
  • Services Directory
  • Contact us
  • Blog