I am writing you for several reasons. The first is because each of you is a heart connection for me, someone who has enriched my life and the world. Secondly, I want to tell you about an exciting journey I'm about to embark upon. In mid-October 2024, I will enter into a five-day, in-person training program to become a death doula or “end of life” doula through an organization called Going With Grace. I am more committed and excited about this course of action than about any turn in my life in many, many years. Thirdly, I want to ask for your support in this community effort. I'm doing this training no matter what, however I want to involve YOU, my community, as much as possible. If you are able to contribute monetarily to help defray some of the cost for this training, I would greatly appreciate it. Any amount would be oh so helpful.

Many of you have probably heard of birth doulas, but you may be wondering what on earth is a death doula. In short, a death doula is someone who accompanies others at the end of their lives. Often someone outside the family who is there for the dying person (and frequently for their loved ones too) to comfort and support them - - emotionally, spiritually, and practically - - as they make tough decisions about this singularly important transition that all of us will someday experience. The death doula community is a growing one, whose practitioners are making a huge contribution to the lives of others in a universal, and often challenging, experience that our culture does little to support.

My passion to become a death doula was ignited last summer when I listened to a fascinating interview with Alua Arthur. Her story about quitting her career as a lawyer to become one of first death doulas in the U.S. was beyond inspirational. Ms. Arthur founded Going With Grace to help spur what has became a movement. Going with Grace has trained more than 3,000 end-of-life practitioners.

Ms. Arthur’s poignant and self-effacing story resonated with me deeply and inspired me into action. I am particularly elated as I was accepted as one of 44 from a large pool of applicants from across the globe who will participate in the Going With Grace experiential training program next month. (I encourage you to listen to Ms. Arthur’s Ted Talk: https://goingwithgrace.com/press-media/

Going with Grace https://goingwithgrace.com/press-media/

The program I will be attending in California will not only equip future death doulas to provide non-medical, compassionate companionship and comfort to those facing terminal illness or death, but it will also educate us in the use of a wide range of practical resources that can help dying persons and their loved ones. Many of us have not thought about what we want at the end of our lives. Nor do we know or understand what resources and choices we have to make meaningful decisions at the end of our lives. In these ways, death doulas are breaking through the silence and isolation that so often envelops this difficult stage in life, and instead offer an open, holistic approach that can result in better practical decisions and deeper emotional and spiritual connections to themselves and their loved ones.

One thing that has particularly impressed me as I've learned more about the evolving Going with Grace community is that it is a very multi-generational multi-racial movement that is dedicated to being there for all communities at the end of life.

As many of you know, working towards justice is my passion. It is the reason I became a social worker, and have advocated for those living on the margins, voiceless, and often forgotten. Friends and colleagues have often commented on my compassion and my capacity for being with others in difficult situations. Now, in my 70th year, I am choosing to focus my energy and experience on becoming a death doula, working in community to do all I can along the lines described above.

Finally some specifics, if you are able to contribute monetarily, I am hoping to raise $4,000 which is about half of the cost of the in person training, travel expenses, tech support, training and licensure materials. Please know - if you are not in the position to contribute financially- your good vibes and “cheerleading” would mean the world to me. Alter this training I intend to create a blog or e-newsletter to share resources and key learnings with anyone who is interested, I hope you will sign up once it is up and running.

In closing, I greatly appreciate all of you, and will be deeply grateful for ALL forms of support in my efforts to become a death doula and to be a part of creating a more graceful final transition for us all.

Thanks so much!

With love and gratitude,

Cynthia East