At the HeartWay, we are called to provide unwavering support and love
to individuals and their families as they navigate one of life’s
most significant moments — the end-of-life transition.
We understand that this journey can be accompanied by overwhelming medical decisions, spiritual and emotional crises, and unexpected feelings. That’s why we are here for you.
Our services encompass end-of-life care and grief support, offering a comprehensive range of assistance. We facilitate education to help you better understand the process, make appropriate referrals to external services when necessary, and assist in planning end-of-life ceremonies, memorials and celebration of life services. Our commitment extends beyond the physical realm, addressing the emotional, spiritual, and practical aspects of this profound experience.
To ensure accessibility, we offer in-person, telephone, and online support services, tailoring our approach to your unique needs. We believe that by facing, embracing, and being fully present in life and death, this natural event can become an opportunity for growth, strengthening relationships, sharing stories, finding forgiveness, fostering healing, and ultimately attaining peace for both you and your loved ones.
We work hand-in-hand with traditional hospice care, providing a complementary approach to end-of-life support. Together, we strive to create a supportive environment that embraces the holistic well-being of those in our care.
End-of-Life Care
With heartfelt dedication, our compassionate End-of-Life Practitioners (ELPs), also known as death doulas, are here to extend their unwavering support to those nearing the end of their journey, as well as the cherished families and friends who surround them.
Their profound role encompasses a multitude of tasks, from heartfelt conversations with family members to sitting vigilantly by the bedside of the departing souls, and everything in between. They ensure a seamless connection with essential resources, bridging gaps and easing burdens along the way.
The training bestowed upon our ELPs is truly exceptional, encompassing a comprehensive understanding of the end-of-life process from a multidisciplinary perspective. They possess a profound knowledge of every facet of this deeply meaningful work, enabling them to advocate for you and your needs within the complex realm of end-of-life medical communities.
Above all, they embody boundless compassion, showering you and your loved ones with tenderheartedness, tranquility, and immense joy throughout every stage of this profound journey. Their purpose is to help you transcend the grip of fear and uncertainty, creating a sacred space where peace, love, and compassion can thrive unbounded.
End-of-Life
Advocacy & Planning
During the challenging moments when you or your beloved face a terminal medical prognosis, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed by the complexities of the healthcare system and various bureaucratic processes.
In this time of immense stress and emotional turmoil, we are here to lend our unwavering support and assist you in constructing a comprehensive care plan that empowers you to reclaim wellness and autonomy.
Our dedicated team is equipped to help you in numerous ways:
- Making informed decisions: We provide the knowledge and guidance necessary to make informed choices that align with your values and wishes.
- Enhancing care coordination: We work diligently to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among your healthcare providers, ensuring a cohesive and efficient care experience.
- Eliminating service duplication: By streamlining your healthcare services, we prevent unnecessary repetition, saving you time, energy, and resources.
- Reducing reliance on costly medical interventions: We strive to optimize your care plan, minimizing the need for expensive medical services without compromising your well-being.
- Identifying suitable providers, caregivers, and facilities: We help you navigate the vast array of options, connecting you with the most appropriate professionals and facilities that meet your specific needs and preferences.
- Maximizing resource utilization: We assist you in harnessing available resources effectively, ensuring you receive the support and assistance you require in the most efficient manner.
And there is much more we can do to ease your burden.
Furthermore, we recognize the importance of end-of-life planning. We can provide guidance and support, enabling you to prepare for the future and make arrangements in advance, so that when the time comes, you and your loved ones can face it with peace of mind.
Throughout this journey, our heartfelt commitment is to be a steadfast companion, providing you with the guidance, care, and advocacy you deserve.
Grief Counseling
In the realm of grief, individual experiences diverge, for no two souls embark on the path of mourning in quite the same way. The stages and emotions that accompany encounters with death and the dying manifest uniquely within each person. Grief reverberates through your physical being, stirs your emotions, influences your thoughts, affects your interactions, and touches the depths of your spiritual existence.
Within our embrace, we foster a sanctuary where you and your cherished ones can freely express and navigate the intricate landscape of your emotions. We hold space for your healing, acknowledging the complexity and fluidity of your journey.
We understand that your feelings may ebb and flow, entwined in a cyclical dance that can at times be bewildering, uncomfortable, disorienting, fearful, and overwhelming. Yet, amidst the shadows, we have witnessed how this process can also be transformative, enriching, and empowering. For just as grief is an integral part of life’s tapestry, it holds the potential to deepen our understanding and connection to the essence of existence.
Our mission, born from a profound empathy, is twofold: to aid the dying in living as fully as possible, embracing the precious moments that remain, and to support the living in facing their mortality with the same intention—to seize the opportunity to live each moment to its fullest.
Our founder Dr. Deerheart provides online counseling to support you through the grieving process.
Personal Education
When you educate yourself about end-of-life choices, you’ll feel better prepared to discuss priorities, provide support, and make informed decisions for yourself and those you love.
We call on our decades of research, training, discussions, and direct experience to help you navigate and troubleshoot the often-fragmented end-of-life healthcare landscape so you can:
- Educate yourself about the key treatments and resources for end-of-life care
- Start conversations with loved ones about end-of-life wishes and care
- Understand the benefits of palliative care and hospice care — and when to ask for them
- Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff
- Find peace and ease with your end-of-life choices.
Healing Meditations,
Ceremonies,
Funerals & Memorial Services
Honoring death honors the significance of a unique, full, and beautiful life.
We’ll facilitate the planning of rituals and participation before death, at home, or anywhere you wish. These ceremonies can be customized to bring comfort to the dying person and those around them.
After death, we’ll help with planning and facilitation for rituals, celebrations of life, burial, cremation, or funeral services — either at home or in a location of your choice.
Medical Aid in Dying,
Ingestion Planning & Support
For individuals exploring Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) under the End of Life Option Act, the process allows those with terminal illnesses to obtain a legally prescribed medication for life-ending purposes. This enables them to have control over the timing and circumstances of their own passing. However, the process is often complex, requiring careful consideration in the weeks and days before taking the medication.
An End-of-Life Practitioner (End-of-Life Doula) can offer crucial support during this process. This supplemental assistance can greatly enhance the sense of security and comfort for both the individuals and their loved ones throughout this profound journey.
Please reach out if we can be of any support.
We are here to serve
you and your loved ones.
You are not alone.
Help is just a click away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore the insightful questions we’re asked most often about our work.
