As a Certified End of Life Mentor, serving Tucson and the surrounding area, Danielle Dvorak is a death and dying expert who is a personal resource. Also referred to as a “Death Doula”, she supports as needed, relieves stress, answers the tough questions, interfaces with medical professionals, translates medical lingo for everyone involved, perhaps runs errands if needed, or fills in so that a family member or caregiver can take a deep breath and/or get a good night’s sleep.

“So many people die in fear, with unresolved issues and tremendous stress. They leave this life not having said or heard the ‘I love yous’, ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I forgive yous’ that would be so healing—for themselves, their families, and friends,” explains Dvorak. “Our culture has removed death from everyday life, even though the two go hand-in-hand.”

We relegate the dying to hospitals and nursing homes, where death is often treated like a disease and extraordinary measures are taken to prolong life at all costs. Doctors, who are trained to fight death like a personal enemy, are often given control over end-of-life care. This frequently results in quantity of life being the priority over quality of life, leading to suffering and prolonging of a life that might be considered cruel by some standards.

“On a spiritual note, we no longer remember how to die with grace and dignity,” says Dvorak. “Additionally, families do not know how to come to closure with the passing of a loved one, and grief often gets ‘stuffed’ instead of processed in a healthy manner.”

An End of Life Mentor can support people with options, objectivity and experience that you may be lacking or not even know about. This support system is adaptable and can be utilized by the dying person, family, friends, caregivers or any combination thereof.

For more information, call 847-323-9188 or visit EndofLifeMentor.com. See ad, page 11.