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Brought to you by Legacy Ministries, Subsidiary of Floyd A. Williams Funeral Home, Inc. 

Holistic Therapies That Ease The Inevitable

We hope to become a End of Life Companion; designed to share, educate, and support the communityduring the end-of-life process better. PAUSE has a Mission with its Dou -Love Initiative to Close the Racial Grief Gap that lies dormant in our society. 

We are committed to affiliating with end-of-life practitioners that want to give-back by giving of themselves. Providing under privileged communities the proper physical, practical, and emotional care of the living, those that are dying, and the reverence to those whom have passed. 

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Within the Dou-LOVE Initiative, you will find End of Life Practitioners work to strengthen listening skills, companioning the dying, impact of identity, creating a end of life plan, understanding scope of the journey, the signs of the inevitable coming near. We facilitate a vigil, disposition options, privilege, holding space, and advance planning. 

 

We recognize who has and doesn't have access to End-of-Life care and what role we can hold while working in these racist and biased systems in the United States. 

PAUSE engages end-of-life professionals, leaders, and related industries in the advocacy of health equity and equity in death PAUSE envisions spaces that provide educational and community-driven resources about grief and the end of life.We look to develop relationships with organizations and their leadership to provide educational and supportive resources built to support their diverse internal communities.

Diversifies existing grief and end-of-life resources and materials available to healthcare providers, corporate businesses, etc.

 

This is the start of a journey that we all will have to walk therefore these conversations are recommended for all people who will die or know someone who will.

 

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ARTICLES to Gain the Perspective
DOU-LOVE: About Me
DOULOVE LOGO 2.png
DOU-LOVE: About

How do you DOU-LOVE in a time of Sorrow?

Image by Tim Mossholder

These MOMENTS are for people who want to use a doula as a sounding board for some of the care decisions they need to make. The doula will also assist with an overall review of the environment, caregiver needs, and quality of life issues. 

 

  • Virtual, Phone & Text Access to the Doula

  • Assistance with, or Review of, Advance Directives 

  • Evaluation of the Environment to Improve the Quality of Life

  • Evaluation of Caregiver Status & Needs

  • Evaluation of Timing for Hospice

  • Legacy Project Discussions 

  • Art Therapy Alternatives

  • Preliminary Vigil Planning

DOU-LOVE: About

Whether you are diagnosed with a terminal illness, or coping with a loved one that is approaching the end of life, there are many mental & emotional hurdles but also grasping the psychological impact of the dying process.

 

This is where a DouLOVE could help. They offer non -medical support focused on: 

  • Life review work what we at PAUSE call SOUL-Work, 

  • Attention to the emotional needs of everyone involved, and

  • Assistance with practical care.

SUPPORT GROUPS Guidelines:

Each person’s grief is unique. While you may share some commonalities in your experiences, no two of you are exactly alike. Consequently, respect and accept both what you have in common with others and what is unique to each of you.

1. Confidentiality: Whatever is shared within the group remains confidential. Share with others outside the group only what you have learned about yourself. Thoughts, feelings, and experiences shared in this group will stay in this group. Respect others’ right to confidentiality. Do not use the names of fellow participants in discussions outside the group.

2. Respect: It is essential to respect your grief as well as others. Every relationship and loss is different, and therefore people will respond differently. This is ok but is also why grief can be a lonely process. There is no one or simple path to follow. It is important to respect everyone’s right to grieve in their way. We can compare but cannot judge. We want to create an atmosphere of willing, invited sharing. Suppose you feel pressured to talk but don’t want to, say so. The group will respect your right to quiet contemplation. We want you to feel free to talk about your grief. If, however, someone in the group decides to listen without sharing, please respect their preference. Allow each person equal time to express themself so a few people don’t monopolize the group’s time.

3. There is a difference between actively listening to what another person is saying and expressing your grief. Make every effort not to interrupt when someone else is speaking.

4. It is also essential to respect the time you and others are giving to work on your grief by joining a group. Please turn off beepers and cell phones or, if necessary, set them on vibrate.

5. Advice: We share personal feelings and current concerns but are not here to fix problems. You are welcome to ask questions, make suggestions. Avoid “advice-giving” unless it is specifically requested by a group member. If advice is not solicited, don’t give it. However, if a group member poses a question, share ideas that helped you if you experienced a similar situation. Remember that this group is for support, not therapy.

6. Freedom of Speech: You may choose to share or remain silent. No one will be put on the spot or forced to talk, but everyone who feels comfortable sharing will be given that chance. Make every effort not to interrupt when someone is speaking. However, at times, the facilitator may interrupt so that everyone has the opportunity to share.

7. Feelings: Feelings are neither right nor wrong; they are. Grief is not a disease, and no “quick-fix” exists for what you are feeling. Therefore, don’t set a specific timetable for how long it should take you or others to heal.

8. Concern and Caring: Because concern and caring for each other is an integral part of the group process, please let us know if you

will miss a session or decide not to continue. Email us at: pause4143@gmail.com.

9. Attend each group meeting and be on time. If you decide to leave the group before this series is complete, be willing to discuss your decision with the group.

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Recognize that thoughts and feelings are neither right nor wrong. Please enter into the thoughts and feelings of other group members without trying to demand change..

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DOU-LOVE: Text

Why Choose End of Life Doula Services - THE SCOPE

A client face intensity, doubt, and suffering, which takes many forms, including spiritual, emotional, physical, intellectual, and psychological. There's difficulty. There are heightened feelings and reactions. Dynamics shift and sway, threatening our sense of foundation—the anchor to our past, present, and future.

Doulas, normally:

  • Offer emotional support.  

  • Bring careful attention to the inner well-being.

  • Believe in people.

  • Honor life and the mysterious enigma of death 

  • Discovering a client's wishes;

  • working through a client's anxieties; 

  • Honoring and holding sacred space;

  • Leading guided imagery, visualizations, and breathing exercises;

  • promoting informed consent;

  • Assisting with legacy and completion work, as well as advance directives; 

  • Conducting life review sessions;

  • Providing resource referrals;

  • Coordinating care; and

  • Vigil planning and sitting.

  • Assist in the creation of a remembrance book, audio or video. Initiate Legacy Projects.

  • Help plan for how the atmosphere and interactions in the last days of life

  • Bring a sense of deeper meaning 

  • advocate for the dying person's wishes, provide information about signs and symptoms, and to offer a loving and knowledgeable presence at the bedside

  • Help loved ones process the feelings and reactions that follow a death. They will explain the grieving process and guide people through its early days.

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They Aim To:

  • Listen deeply

  • Provide personalized, nonjudgmental care

  • Promote mental & emotional growth & coping skills and sense of agency

  • Personalize the MOMENT

  • Align with your the goals, wishes, and needs 

  • Respect your choices. 

  • Support both the dying person and their natural network

  • Enable you with more opportunities to consider deeper meaning and connection.

  • Meet people where they are

  • Remaining neutral and caring

DOU-LOVE: About

END OF LIFE DOULA 

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Helping Hands

Doulas don't duplicate. We provide complementary care, honoring the roles of all involved.


WE:

  • Do not dip into internal reserves to replenish a client's sense of emptiness. Recognize the tendency toward self-doubt during times of intensity and firmly believe in people's capacity to find their footing and next steps, even—especially—when they feel lost or overwhelmed.

  • In the throes of liminal space, doulas remain the calm in the chaos.

  • We encourage a thoughtful slowing down when many feel rushed to get past a hurdle.

DOU-LOVE: About
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