Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores what it truly means to be an end-of-life doula in the United States and why families often discover that hospice care alone cannot meet every need at the end of life.  Joined by Danielle Slupesky, executive director of the New Mexico Death Care Network and founder of Conscious Crossroads, this conversation offers an honest look at how doulas support families before, during, and after death. Together they discuss the realities of working alongside hospice teams, the misconceptions many people have about hospice care, and the critical relational support that death doulas provide to patients and families.  Key takeaways from this episode include: • Why many families say “I wish I knew about a death doula sooner.” • The common misunderstanding that hospice provides 24-hour care. • The relational and emotional support that end-of-life doulas offer beyond medical care. • The financial realities and sustainability challenges of working as a death doula. • Why community-based death care may become increasingly important in the future. This episode helps normalize conversations about aging, death, grief, and end-of-life planning. Whether you are a caregiver, healthcare professional, death doula, or someone simply trying to understand what compassionate end-of-life care looks like, this conversation offers insight into how families can prepare, advocate for themselves, and receive more holistic support. Links/Resources Guest: Danielle Slupesky, https://www.deathdouladanielle.com New Mexico Death Care Network, https://www.nmdn.org Host: Traci Arieli's, https://www.comfortingclosure.com Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. If this conversation helped you better understand hospice, death doulas, or end-of-life planning, please share it with someone who may benefit from it. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Marilyn Raichle, author of Don’t Walk Away, about what it means to care for someone living with dementia in a more human, relational way. Together they discuss how dementia caregiving can shift from managing decline to building partnership, presence, and connection.  Marilyn never planned to become a caregiver. Raised in a family where Alzheimer’s was considered worse than death, she was taught to walk away emotionally if dementia appeared. But when her mother began living with dementia, Marilyn’s perspective slowly changed. Through unexpected moments of creativity, art, music, and daily connection, she discovered a different way to approach dementia caregiving: as a care partner rather than only a caregiver.  Key topics discussed include: • The difference between being a caregiver and becoming a care partner • How fear and cultural narratives shape dementia caregiving • Why connection and personhood remain even as memory changes • Practical ways caregivers can reconnect with someone living with dementia • The role of creativity, art, and shared activities in maintaining relationship • The emotional realities of caregiving, guilt, and family dynamics • Major gaps in dementia care systems and support for caregivers Whether you are a family caregiver, a professional supporting people with dementia, or simply someone trying to understand how to care for aging loved ones, this episode offers a different way of thinking about dementia care. Links/Resources Guest: Marilyn Raichle - https://dontwalkaway.net Book: Don’t Walk Away by Marilyn Raichle - https://dontwalkaway.net Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  If this conversation helped you see dementia caregiving in a new way, please like, share, and subscribe. Your support helps more people find these important conversations. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.In this episode of 'Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula,' Traci Arieli discusses the profound impact of providing end-of-life care within the prison system. Joined by Laura Musselman, Outreach & Events Manager, and Fernando Murillo, Program Manager of the Humane Prison Hospice Project, they explore how the project brings dignity and compassionate care to incarcerated individuals nearing the end of their lives. Key takeaways include the innovative training of the incarcerated as palliative care workers, the unique challenges of providing hospice care in a correctional setting, and the emotional and practical support systems in place. This episode aims to normalize conversations around aging, death, and grief, even in the most unexpected environments. Links/Resources Guest: Humane Prison Hospice Project - humaneprisonhospiceproject.org Host: Traci Arieli's Website - comfortingclosure.com Resources: Humane Prison Hospice Project on Instagram - instagram.com/humaneprisonhospiceproject Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes! #DeathDoula #EndOfLifeDoula #PrisonReform #SocialJustice #CompassionInCare #HumanePrisonHospiceProject