Annie Whitlocke: A death doula’s lessons on dying, aloneness and how to live well

What do death and dying have to teach us about getting comfortable with aloneness and living a good life?

 

It’s a subject that’s often taboo and shrouded in fear and secrecy, but it’s also something none of us can avoid.

 

But what does a good death look like? Is it a lonely and frightening experience? Or can it be something profound and beautiful, with as much to teach us about how to live as how to die?

 

This week, Jill talks to Annie Whitlocke about her work as a death doula, providing emotional, physical, spiritual and practical support to people in their final days.

 

Annie has had a fascinating life. She’s happily single after six marriages, and has experienced immense loss and hardship, giving her unique insights about how to find peace in aloneness.

 

Just as birth doulas provide non-medical support throughout the birthing process, Annie, a death doula, Buddhist chaplain and pastoral carer, is there at the other end of the cycle, acting as a nurturing companion in life’s last transition.

 

You can learn more about Annie’s work here and read about it in her own words here.

 

To stay in touch with Well Enough Alone, you can follow us on Instagram @wellenoughalonepod or @jillstark__

 

Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production. Our producers are Kieran Simpson and Trent Bartlett.

 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.