In the event of a sudden death, you and your family and loved ones will be reeling from shock, and possibly have no idea where to start. If the Coroner’s Office is involved, it can be overwhelming. If it is too hard to read this page, please just call me now on 0406 622 091 for a quick, complimentary chat.

I can provide support for you and your family / loved ones / community in the event of a sudden death and help guide you through the steps that will / may / can occur and the choices available to you.

I will listen carefully to your pain, grief, needs, desires and anything else that you wish to share.  By listening, I respect the process you are experiencing and can offer personalised, empathetic, practical, useful support.

Quite often, the most valuable words I can share are “this can all be slowed down” and “you don’t need to do anything today”. 

As you may be experiencing shock, grief, rage, pain and other myriad emotions, it can be very useful and reassuring to know that (quite often) no decisions need to be made in those first 24-48 hours.

Acknowledgement to Neil Thomas for the above photo.

At that time, I can meet with you and discuss how I can assist by providing any or all the services listed below:

  • Liaising with the Coroner’s Court (if applicable)

  • Helping with funeral arrangements / options

  • Providing a list of available Funeral Directors (if required) and then liaising with the appointed Funeral Director

  • Being a “first point of call” person - you may choose to have all associated phone calls directed to me

  • Advocating for you and your family / loved ones: personally (i.e. with your family and community); professionally (i.e. with cemetery staff, Funeral Directors etc.) to ensure your wishes are heard

  • Offering ideas for saying goodbye and memory-making (and assistance with production if desired) for those carrying on e.g.:  spouse, children, family, community and other important people. Ideas are limitless, but some examples are decorating the coffin, casket or shroud, writing letters to send with your loved one, requesting fingerprints from the Funeral Director for jewellery creation or creating a memory-box.

  • Offering vigil ideas (and coordination of same if desired).  A vigil - can also be referred to as a wake - is when those who carry on can spend time remembering their loved one. Depending on circumstances, the loved one’s body may or may not be present for viewing.  A vigil can be held in a variety of locations - the funeral home; a community venue; the family home – there are many choices.

  • Advising you of other support services available in your area and linking you in (if desired)

  • Taking care of administrative details, giving you more time to focus on emotional needs

  • Providing options every step of the way

  • Researching and offering resources that may be useful

  • Offering ideas regarding the sharing of your daily tasks and how family and community can provide support

  • Ensuring the family's wishes, control and choice are heard.

  • Remaining calm, objective but always supportive

  • Offering heartfelt guidance and information

  • Ensuring there is a substitute doula available in the event I am unavailable. 

Support in the Event of a Sudden Death

Acknowledgement to Ezra Jeffrey Comeau for the above photo.

Important note:  As an End of Life Doula, I can support you through multiple aspects of your journey.  However, I am not a grief counsellor.  If you need specialised support for grief, I can provide you with the names of qualified grief counsellors.