Conscious Acts of Love

Death isn’t easy - it’s an intense transition…

but pain isn’t inevitable, suffering isn’t necessary and we have the ability to define how our death journey unfolds if we talk about it, plan for it, tell those we love our wishes and embrace the time we are assured of – today – to say, to do and to experience all the things that are most important to us.

Talking about death and dying won’t hasten its approach but it will shift how you think about it, how you feel about it.

“End-of-Life Doulas are like water, we flow where the need is.” ~Jenet Robertson

Conscious Acts of Love was formed from my desire to make death, and conversations about death, conscious acts of love within our communities – families caring for families, neighbors supporting each other and communities growing stronger by holding each other and honoring the sacredness of death. This is as it was meant to be – not a medicalized process but a collective event where there is comfort in the familiar, dignity and truth in the dying process and a witnessing of loss, an expression of love by those who come around to hold each other through the transition and grief – while at the same time remembering the joy and love that is the person who is dying.

I have been called to this work.

Billie Jo Vonhoff

Death Doula, End-of-Life Support, Conscious Dying Coach and Educator, Grief Tender, Volunteer

What is a death doula?

Death Doulas are non-medical, trained professionals who provide spiritual, emotional, physical, and practical support for dying people, their loved ones, and their chosen caregivers as they prepare for and navigate through their end-of-life.

You may have heard other names for this kind of comfort care – Soul Midwife, Community Death Care Advocate, Death-walker, End-Of-Life Coach, or Dying Guide. Regardless of the name, we are members of your community who come around you, who honor your wishes, and give you comfort as you near your transition. This is often a time when those closest to you may be overwhelmed with apprehension of loss and grief, and they may struggle to be present during this part of life. A Death Doula helps to fill the “care gap” between medical teams and your chosen caregivers by providing comfort and compassionate care to you and to everyone who is walking this journey with you. We bear witness to the sacredness of death, and with dignity, trust in the death process as it uniquely unfolds for you.

Most of us don’t want to imagine a world without us in it. Hoping for the best may feel better, may seem like the easier option… Until it’s in front of you or someone you love.

You’re here because you believe, you hope, that I might be of service – to support, advocate, hold and honor you or someone you love where you are, in a place where this final transition has become reality.

Doula Services

I will be your advocate, your guide and your support as your experience in this space unfolds. I will hold you and be present with you through your journey.

End of Life Planning & Coaching

What Matters Most To You? This is it, this is the big question. With curiosity and conversation in a brave space – you’ll find the answers you may not have known you were looking for.

Pet Death Support

Our pets are our chosen family. Their end-of-life experience should be held and honored just as fervently as our own. I provide support in a way that allows you to be completely present alongside them in this time.

"Billie Jo was an excellent course facilitator. She was very knowledgeable on the subject matter and made the space incredibly safe. It was very obvious to me that she cared greatly for each individual participant and the integrity of the group. The flow of the course was smooth and there was a nice variety in information (eg education, participant sharing, video, topic links to learn more, etc). Billie Jo is authentic, smart, and loving, and all of these wonderful traits shined throughout the course. I highly recommend End-of-Life Coaching. It was thought-provoking and encouraged me to take action in my daily life. It's valuable to anyone at any stage in life."

"End of Life Planning created a whole new dynamic plan far beyond a closing Will. It gave awareness to detail a plan how I want to be cared for as my end of life nears. Billie Jo offers an ideal balance of knowledge, compassion, spirituality, and professionalism to lead through a plan that works best for the individual."

“This experience has been more positive, challenging, and rewarding than I anticipated. By delving deeply into planning for my last days of life, I discovered how to live today with greater awareness, appreciation, grace, and joy. What a gift to myself!”

“This was my first experience working with a death doula on end-of-life. The subject of death, for me, has historically signaled fear, anxiety and dread. Participating in this program was a big step toward alleviating some of those feelings as I learned how to create a plan that ensures that the way I leave this world is as mindful as how I live in it. Not only did Billie Jo meet each of us in the group where we were at in the process, she provided a wealth of resources (informational / practical / emotional / educational) that were both enlightening and supportive as we moved through each step. I learned a great deal and am very glad to have participated.”

“The class was very interesting, informational, and lots to think about. I enjoyed every session.”

Conscious Acts of Love is a consulting organization for end-of-life support and is in no way considered a funeral establishment. Any contributions received by Conscious Acts of Love are for requested consulting service and private or public education.