End-of-Life Doula Services

The Peaceful
Passage Home

End-of-Life Doula

Walking alongside you at life's most sacred threshold.

Request a Free Consultation
"

Death is not a medical event. It is a sacred, human experience — and no one should face it alone.

Jennifer Burgess — The Peaceful Passage Home

My Story

A lifetime of holding space

Some people choose their calling. Others discover their calling has been choosing them all along.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a caretaker. It is woven into who I am — a quiet thread running through every chapter of my life, drawing me toward the people who need a steady, loving presence beside them.

That thread led me to peaceful parenting coaching, where I walked alongside families navigating some of the most tender and overwhelming moments of raising children. And it led me, ultimately, to the bedside of my grandmother.

When hospice was called in to care for my grandmother, I was there for all of it — every difficult moment, every quiet hour, every sacred breath. In that experience, something crystallized in me. I understood deeply what it means to hold space for someone at the end of their life. How much it matters. How much presence matters.

My grandmother always wanted me to be a nurse. She saw something in me long before I fully saw it in myself. This journey — becoming a certified end-of-life doula and returning to school to become a hospice nurse — is my way of honoring her memory.

— Jennifer Burgess

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How I Can Help

Services offered with
compassion & presence

Every journey is unique. I offer a range of services tailored to meet you and your family exactly where you are.

01

Advance Care Planning

I help you clarify and document your wishes before a crisis arrives — so that when the time comes, your voice is heard and your values are honored. This includes reviewing advance directives, exploring care preferences, and having the conversations that matter most.

02

Vigil Support

Being present at the bedside during the dying process is one of the most profound gifts I offer. I provide calm, compassionate support during the final hours and days — so that neither the dying person nor their loved ones feel alone at this sacred threshold.

03

Family Guidance

I walk alongside families before, during, and after a death — helping you navigate the emotional, practical, and relational complexities of this time. My role is to support, educate, and hold space so you can focus on what matters most: being together.

04

Legacy Projects

Together, we create meaningful ways to capture a life — recorded stories, written letters, memory books, or personal rituals. These projects become treasured gifts for the people left behind, and a beautiful way for the dying person to leave their mark on the world.

05

Grief Support

Grief doesn't end when the funeral does. I offer compassionate support to families in the weeks and months following a loss — holding space for the full range of emotions that come with saying goodbye, and helping you find your footing again.

06

Education & Workshops

I offer community workshops and educational sessions to help people of all ages become more comfortable with end-of-life conversations. Topics include death literacy, advance care planning, supporting a dying loved one, and grief navigation.

Packages begin at $95. Free consultations are always available — let's talk about what your family needs.

A sliding scale is available for families with financial need. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

Schedule a Free Consultation
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Proudly Serving

Jacksonville, NC & Surrounding Communities

Based in Jacksonville, I serve families throughout Onslow County and the surrounding region. Distance is never a barrier to compassionate care — please reach out wherever you are located.

Onslow County

Home Base

Carteret County

Morehead City area

Jones County

Trenton area

Duplin County

Kenansville area

Pender County

Burgaw area

Including communities such as

Swansboro · Sneads Ferry · Richlands · Holly Ridge · Hubert · Surf City · North Topsail Beach · Morehead City · Beaufort · New Bern

Not sure if I serve your area? Please reach out — I will always do my best to accommodate your family.

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FAQ

Questions
you might
be holding

"There are no wrong questions. Every conversation is welcome here."

What exactly is a death doula?

A death doula — also called an end-of-life doula — is a trained, non-medical guide who provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support to dying people and their families. Much like a birth doula supports a family through the arrival of life, a death doula supports them through its departure. I am there to hold space, offer guidance, and ensure that the dying process is as peaceful, meaningful, and dignified as possible.

How is a death doula different from hospice?

Hospice provides essential medical care and pain management for the dying. A death doula complements hospice by focusing on the emotional, relational, and spiritual dimensions of the experience. We work alongside hospice teams — not in place of them — to ensure that the whole person and their whole family are cared for.

When is the right time to reach out?

It is never too early — and it is never too late. Some families reach out months or even years before a death is expected, to do advance care planning and legacy work while there is still time and energy. Others call during a crisis. Wherever you are in the journey, I am here.

Do you work with people of all faiths and backgrounds?

Absolutely. I bring no religious agenda to my work. I meet each person and family within their own belief system, cultural traditions, and personal values. My role is to support your vision of a meaningful death — not to impose one.

What does a first consultation look like?

Your first consultation is a free, no-pressure conversation — a chance for us to get to know each other, for you to share what you are facing, and for me to explain how I might be able to help. There is no obligation, and there are no wrong questions. I simply want you to feel seen and supported from the very first moment.

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Reach Out

You don't have to
walk this alone

Whether you are planning ahead, in the middle of a difficult season, or simply curious about what end-of-life support looks like — I would be honored to connect with you. Your first consultation is always free.

Send Message

All inquiries are held in the strictest confidence. I will respond within 24–48 hours.