Originally published in the opinion section of the Record Eagle: https://www.record-eagle.com/opinion/forum-overcoming-the-taboo-about-discussing-death/article_6d2c09ff-9514-452b-94e4-496ac69d478e.html
Nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
– Benjamin Franklin
That’s a reminder that taxes, like death — are inevitable. It seems inevitable that most everyone thinks that talking about death will bring about our peril. And it’s our mission at End of Life Doulas & Senior Services of NW Michigan to assist families in overcoming this “taboo.”
Major cities across the nation now celebrate two dates with community-wide outreach, education, and promotion. Often held in governmental agencies, churches, hospitals, Veterans Administration offices and libraries are:
April 16 — National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day dedicated to advance care planning. It encourages people to talk about, document, and regularly update their healthcare wishes before a crisis occurs.
This day includes completing or reviewing advance directives, living wills, healthcare proxies, do-not-resuscitate orders or a POLST (Physicians/Providers Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form. Other forms reflect current medical conditions and personal preferences. It is also a reminder to revisit these documents annually, often around tax time, so they continue to reflect a person’s wishes.
April 20 — National End-of-Life Doula Day raises awareness about the role of end-of-life doulas. These professionals provide emotional, spiritual, educational, and practical support for people nearing death and for their families. The role of an end-of-life doula offers non-medical care.
In the United States, caring for loved ones as they died at home was once a family and societal responsibility, supported by bedside vigils and community elders with special skills and traditions.
By the mid-1800s, new traditions and services provided by funeral homes shifted death care out of the home and into professional hands.
Then, in the late 20th century, hospice and palliative care helped bring some end-of-life care back into the home. Today, a preference for home death is gaining some momentum.
A recent movement in Traverse City is embedding end-of-life doulas as employees into hospice agencies as part of their care team. (Discussions at the state and federal level are ongoing for Medicare & Medicaid funding for end-of-life doulas to fill in gaps of care.)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 83% of dying patients wish to go home for their final journey. Only 23% can or do.
At End of Life Doulas & Senior Services of NW Michigan, our “Compassion & Grace – My Final Journey Home” project is intended to help families navigate this process, whether they are in a hospital, a facility, or already at home. They often are referred to us at the sixth-month diagnosis.
We can assist with long- or short-term health planning for those who have been given a terminal diagnosis, planning that reflects the person’s wishes, and complex decision-making and navigating services as needs change.
End of Life Doulas & Senior Services, founded in early 2025, is intended to provide dignified end-of-life planning and care, community outreach and education. More information at 231-534-5491.