End-of-Life Doula Support for Voluntary Stop Eating and Drinking (VSED) in Marin County

VSED (Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking) is a legal, self-directed end-of-life option. For some, it is a path toward peace and autonomy when faced with terminal illness or unbearable decline.

VSED is often misunderstood, and families can feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to support their loved one.

How I Support VSED Clients and Families

• Education and Preparation: Helping families understand what the process looks like, what to expect, and how to prepare.

• Creating Comfort: Working alongside hospice and medical providers to ensure symptom management, ease, and dignity.

• Presence and Vigil: Offering companionship at the bedside, creating calm and sacredness, and being present through the stages of VSED.

• Support for Loved Ones: Helping families navigate the emotional landscape of grief, fear, and love. Offering respite and reminders of how to care for themselves as well as their dying person.

• After-Death Guidance: Gentle support in those first hours and days — from body care to rituals, memorials, or simply holding space.

  
  

Walking With You

VSED can feel like an immense undertaking, but it need not be walked alone. With support, families can approach this path with clarity, compassion, and steadiness.

I am here to walk with you, in Marin and beyond.