Threshold Toward Home
Threshold Toward Home
End of Life Services
End of Life Services
Embedded Files
"Death is our friend precisely because it brings us into absolute and passionate presence with all that is here, that is natural, that is love. Death stands before eternity and says YES."
- Rainer Maria Rilke
Willow Taraja
Willow Taraja
I provide compassionate and respectful end of life care to people advancing in age or individuals living with a terminal diagnosis. As your doula I'm there with you to listen, to create a safe and calm space, and to gently help you explore what matters most to you as you approach your end of life.
I specialize in providing experienced non-medical doula support for those using Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) and for those choosing VSED. I help clients experience their end-of-life transition with ease, feeling comfortable and at peace.
Additionally, I offer support with completing advance care planning documents, and provide guidance and resources as you organize practical end of life preparations because "the devil is in the details".
For folks that would like to do so, we can create a bedside vigil plan that will lovingly support you and guide the people who care about you through your active dying time. We can explore your thoughts for remembrance and legacy projects or design your unique "celebration of life" party exactly as you want it to be.
I am delighted to share resources and provide guidance about earth friendly after death body care such as natural & green earth burial, water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), and natural organic reduction (body composting). I'll help you understand the options available for sustainable body care so that you can decide what is right for you.
Give a call or send an email and let's chat about your unique needs.
Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources
Web Resources
Web Resources
Advance Healthcare Directives by State
Download, print and complete a legal Advance Healthcare Directive
Compassion and Choices
Legal information, Advance Healthcare Directive Toolkit, End of Life Resources and National information about Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)
End of Life Choices California
Resources and Information about legal choices and end of life options in California (MAiD & VSED)
The Conversation Project
Tips for how to start end of life planning conversations, thoughtful and humorous videos and exceptionally practical information:
Green Burial Council
Learn about environmentally friendly options for your body after you die
National Home Funeral Alliance
Information and Resources for body care and how to conduct a funeral in your own home
Barbara Karnes, RN
Guiding source for end of life education
Books
Books
The Death Doula's Guide to Living Fully and Dying
Prepared by Francesca Lynn Arnoldy
Book List: Death, Dying and Advance Care Planning
A varied collection of helpful books for planning ahead. Practical, spiritual, contemplative and insightful.
Grief, Essential Reading List
Gentle guides about processing grief related to death and loss:
Articles
Articles
How Doctor and Doula Partnerships Transform End of Life Care
by Bob Uslander
Psychology Today, 2024
>> Read Article
The Movement to Bring Death Closer
by Maggie Jones,
The New York Times Magazine, 2019
An article about Home Funerals
>> Read Article
The Moment of Death: Creating Sacred Space at This Time
by Beth Cavenaugh
>> Read Article
How Doctors Die
by Ken Murray
Zocalo, 2011
>> Read Article
Letting Go
by Atul Gawande
The New Yorker 100, 2010
>> Read Article
Environmentally Sustainable - Earth Friendly Disposition Service Providers
Environmentally Sustainable - Earth Friendly Disposition Service Providers
Aquamation / Alkaline Hydrolysis produces ZERO greenhouse gases and is far more energy-efficient. Families receive their loved one's "ashes" following the Aquamation process.
>> Visit Pacific Interment Website
Terramation or Body Composting transforms your body into nutrient rich soil.
Green Burial or Natural Earth Burial allows the body to be buried directly in the Earth with minimal environmental impact and without the use of chemicals.
Bodies are wrapped within a linen shroud and/or are nestled in a biodegradable casket and placed directly into the Earth. Below is a list for a few California locations providing Green Burial:
Pleasant Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, Sebastopol CA >> Visit Website
Valley Memorial Park, Novato CA >> Visit Website
Fernwood Cemetery, Mill Valley CA >> Visit Website
Davis Cemetery & Arboretum, Davis CA >> Visit Website
Purissima Cemetery, Half Moon Ba CA >> Visit Website
Nevada City CA Green Burial Cemeteries >> Visit Website
Morgan Oaks Cemetery, Placer County CA >> Visit Website
Joshua Tree Memorial Park, Joshua Tree CA >> Visit Website
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