The Death Doula: Bridging Life's Final Transition with Helen Gretchen Jones

In this I sit down with death doula Helen Gretchen Jones for a conversation that’s not really about dying, it’s about living with boundaries, honesty, and connection right until the very end.

Helen shares what a death doula actually does, how she helps people and their families navigate those last moments, and why receiving care is not a sign of weakness. We talk about the power of saying what needs to be said before it’s too late, the surprising role of hospice, and how our culture has distanced itself from death and why that might not be serving us.

We also dive into closure, spiritual experiences at the bedside, and the parallels between birth and death support. Whether you’re caring for someone now, have walked that path before, or just want to be more prepared for the realities we’ll all face, this episode is equal parts heart, practicality, and permission to not do it all alone.

What we cover:

• What a death doula is (and isn’t).

• Why advocacy matters at the end of life.

• How to navigate feelings of being a “burden.”

• Hospice myths and what they actually provide.

• Spiritual and emotional experiences at the bedside.

• The importance of saying what needs to be said while you still can.

Find out more about Gretchen here: https://www.helengretchenjones.com/

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