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End-of-Life Support Services in Kentucky & Central Appalachia

Offering presence, care, and practical support for individuals and families before, during, and after death.

Dying is more than a medical event- it’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply human.

An image of Tiffany Dawn Smith, death doula in Washington State - Tiffany is a blonde woman with long hair, wearing a floral scarf and black blouse
INELDA Trained End of Life Doula badge for Tiffany Dawn Smith, death doula in Washington State

As an INELDA-trained end-of-life doula, I serve individuals and families across Washington with non-medical support that centers presence, calm, and care. While the clinical team focuses on doing, my role is to focus on being—being present, intuitive, and steady at the bedside.

My name is Tiffany Dawn Smith, and I bring a nurturing presence, a proactive mindset, and deep respect for each person’s path. I help ensure that wishes are honored, needs are anticipated, and no one feels alone in the process. Whether you're preparing for the future or navigating the final days of life, I’m here to support you with clarity, warmth, and grounded care.

What Does an End-of-Life Doula Provide?

Services are always tailored to your unique needs and can complement hospice or be offered independently.

Advance Care Planning

Legal documents, living wills, healthcare directives, and funeral preferences.

Vigil Sitting & Bedside Support

Non-medical companionship, ritual presence, calming techniques, music, readings, or quiet witnessing.

Emotional & Spiritual Support

Grounded, intuitive care through conversation, silence, life review, or grief tending.

Legacy & Remembrance Projects

Helping individuals create videos, letters, journals, or memorial elements for loved ones.

After-Death Guidance

Home wake/funeral support, coordinating care logistics, ritual, and early grief support.

Family Advocacy & Education

Clarifying options, translating medical language, and ensuring the dying person’s voice is centered.

Intuitive Support

Sometimes simple things have the biggest impact, like making a batch of hot soup or giving a soothing neck rub. I tune into whatever I think might help the situation at hand.

Gentle, grounded end-of-life doula services

Whether you’re preparing for the road ahead or already walking through the dying process with a loved one, I offer compassionate support designed to meet you where you are. All of my offerings are grounded, flexible, and rooted in relationship, not checklists.

Hourly Support

$125/hour — 2-hour minimum

For individuals or families who need flexible, on-call help without committing to a full package.

This time can be used for:

  • Bedside presence & sitting vigil

  • Grief or family support

  • Light housework (laundry, dishes, tidying)

  • Meal prep or errands

  • Legacy conversations or spiritual care

  • End-of-life planning guidance

  • Supporting you as the caregiver so you can rest

Available in-person (within travel radius) or virtually

end of life support, death doula kentucky, tiffany dawn smith

Vigil Support

$850 – up to 10 hours over 2–3 days

For families entering the final stages of life. I’ll walk with you through the active dying process—supporting the person who’s dying, and those who love them.

Includes:

  • Continuous or broken-up presence over several days

  • Help creating a peaceful environment (lighting, music, scent, silence)

  • Guidance and emotional support for family members

  • Coordinating with hospice if needed

  • Space-holding and sacred silence

  • Gentle touch, readings, prayer or song (if welcomed)

Additional hours can be added as needed at a reduced rate ($95/hour)

end of life support, death doula kentucky, tiffany dawn smith

“As Needed” Bundle

$375 — 4 flexible hours, used any time over 30 days

Perfect for families who know they’ll need ongoing support, but want the freedom to use it when needed.

Use it for:

  • A few short visits

  • One longer vigil sit

  • A planning session + follow-up

  • Support before or after a death

  • Holding space during emotional moments

  • Preparing the home or space

    You’ll also receive:

  • Priority booking during active decline

  • A custom care guide based on your preferences

  • Phone/text check-ins between visits

end of life support, death doula kentucky, tiffany dawn smith

After-Death Support

Starting at $250

For families who need help in the hours or days after a death.

Includes:

  • Gentle care for the body (bathing, dressing, setting the space)

  • Supporting family through a home farewell or home wake

  • Coordinating logistics (funeral home, documents, obituaries)

  • Light cleanup, food, or household help

  • Guidance on grief rituals and early processing

This service can be added to any care bundle or requested on its own.

end of life support, death doula kentucky, tiffany dawn smith
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FAQs

  • A death doula, sometimes called an end-of-life doula, is a non-medical support person trained to help individuals and families through the dying process. I provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support—before, during, and after death.

    Think of me as someone who helps carry the weight, so families can focus on what matters most.

  • I don’t bring a specific religious agenda. I meet people exactly where they are—with or without a spiritual tradition. My goal is to create a peaceful, respectful space that honors the person’s beliefs, values, and ways of making meaning.

  • Absolutely. One of the most common things families say is, “We just need someone to help keep things going.” I can prepare a warm pot of soup, tidy the kitchen, feed the animals, or keep the laundry moving—all while tending to the person who’s dying, and offering support to the family.

    This is especially important here in Appalachia, where home and care go hand-in-hand.

  • That’s where I come in. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Many families just need someone to check in, assess the situation, and help guide the next steps. I offer hourly visits that can be used however you need them—emotional support, errands, organizing, sitting vigil, or just giving family members space to breathe.

  • Yes. Whether it's for an hour or for the night, I can be present with your loved one so you can rest, shower, eat, or even go outside for a few moments of peace. No one can pour from an empty cup—and caregiving requires nourishment too.

  • Yes, I serve rural areas across Kentucky and Central Appalachia, especially places where other resources may be harder to access. I also offer virtual support, phone calls, and guidance when travel isn't possible. I'm happy to work out travel details together.

  • I offer hourly rates, flat-rate packages, and sliding scale options to make support accessible. If you're facing financial hardship, let's talk. I believe no one should go without care because of money.

  • Yes. I can help bathe and dress the person if the family wants a home goodbye, coordinate with local funeral homes, help with obituary writing, clean up the space, or simply be present as the family processes the moment. I can also check in with you in the days or weeks after death to offer grief resources or a listening ear.

  • Yes. I can assist with planning a home wake, finding a funeral home, or organizing a simple gathering that reflects your loved one’s life. I also help with legacy projects—like letters, recordings, or memory boxes—to leave something meaningful behind.

  • Hospice teams are wonderful—but they are often stretched thin. I work alongside them, filling the gaps. While hospice may come once or twice a day, I can be present in-between: to sit, listen, support, and keep the household running. Many families are grateful to have that extra layer of care.

  • Yes. I'm certified through INELDA (the International End-of-Life Doula Association). I also continue to learn through workshops and mentorship to serve families well.

  • You can book a free 20-minute phone consultation with me to talk about your situation and how I might help. From there, we’ll decide together what support is most helpful. Email me at tiffany@sangrealwellness.com to start the conversation.

Let’s start with a conversation

I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation so we can talk through what’s going on and how I might support you or your loved one.

Book a Free Consult