About Us
About me
Michelle Churchman, MIS, CEOLD, owner -practitioner, offers compassionate, professional education and companionship for you and your loved ones. She is certified as a Doulagivers EOLD (End Of Life Doula) Specialist, has received her proficiency standard from NEDA (National End of Life Doula Alliance) and has been practicing for four years. She also has an MIS in organizational communication/leadership and post-secondary education. She lives and practices in the Metro Louisville, KY area.
Our Caregivers
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod t
Adam Smith
Psychiatrist & Founder
Lily Melon
Mental Health Specialist
John Milton
Psychiatrist & Founder
Sophie Turner
Professional Caregiver
William Bill
Caregiver
Ruby Schrute
Caregiver
Let’s work together.
Free 30-minute no obligation consultation. Virtual or in-person.
My Thoughts
Embrace Joy: Hunt for Happiness Week and Holistic Health
Hunt for Happiness Week is a time to embrace joy,
The Tradition of National Wreaths Across America
Saturday was National Wreaths Across America. I donated a wreath
Frequently Asked Questions
Departure Doula services are non-medical, elective and not covered or reimbursed by insurance. Some services are paid by the hour and some are one-time workshop, educational course or package deal. Every situation, client and family is different and all needs will be discussed and services decided on a case-by-case basis and during free initial consultation.
A departure EOL doula provides non-medical, holistic support and comfort to the dying person and their family, which may include education and guidance as well as emotional, spiritual or practical care, from as early as initial diagnosis through bereavement. Services are provided wherever the person calls home. The departure EOL doula collaborate with all other care providers and does not usurp any other team or family member’s role. According to the Doula Model of Care, doulas provide non-judgmental support, educate rather than advise, and are resource experts
Departure EOL doulas are non-medical professionals who can serve as the eyes and ears of a medical team. Departure EOL doulas also have no time limitations and can spend as much time as is necessary and wanted with the caregivers and the person who is dying
No. Departure EOL Doulas, while certified and profesional are private pay, similar to other “companion and non-medical home help agencies. We do offer sliding scale payments and strive to provide other free resources when possible.
No. We are non-medical and in our role as doulas cannot administer medications, even over the counter medications, ourselves. We can educate other caregivers about the administration of medications.
Yes. Departure EOL doulas are not licensed as funeral directors or morticians, but they can help you make plans for how you would like to be remembered and honored and what options are available for body disposition.
Yes. Michelle and Shoji Bridge offers help with after loss logistics support and with bereavement. MIchelle is not a licensed therapist but does provide rituals and grief companioning services as a bereavement specialist.
Please see the Services page. But Michelle offers:
Advance Care Planning for future healthcare
Companionship in the home or at the bedside
Personal care (assistance with bathing, dressing, feeding)
Organizing and coordinating support from family and friends and other resources
Household services such as meal preparation, child or pet care, rides
Hands-on, non-medical comfort measures, such as guided imagery, breathing and relaxation
Life review and legacy work. Coordinating and sharing care plans with hospice and other home health providers
Spiritual support
Respite care so caregivers can take a much needed break
Planning and facilitating ritual or ceremonies and vigils
Funeral and body dispostion planning and logistical help after death
Companioning and support during bereavement. Companion Animal EOL doula
Michelle can be contacted at any time during the end of life process. The sooner the better. The sooner you enlist Shoji Bridge the more time Michelle has to provide the highest quality of care to help the person who is dying achieve their needs at end of life.
You do not have to meet any particular criteria to collaborate with a death doula. If you (or someone you love) receives a life limiting or “terminal” diagnosis, even if the prognosis is years, reach out whenever you feel ready to start the conversations and planning, as well building a relationship with me. But folks without known diagnoses can working with me to create advance directives and facilitate challenging conversations, as well as to manage death anxiety. * Credit to Philly Death Doula Collective for this answer
Michelle provides in-person help and services as much as is possible, but some things, especially education and support can be done virutally. Geographically, Shoji Bridge offers in-person services to those in the Metro Louisville area and some outlying areas in other southern Indiana and Kentucky areas if possible. ** Additional travel expenses and minimum visits will be charged
There is no one certifying or governing body for doulas. There are MANY trainings and will likely only be more as the field grows. They cost $750 and up, can range from a weekend to several months long, and vary in what they teach. Michelle received her Certified End of Life Doula Specialist certification from Doulagivers International. In addition, she received her proficiency award from NEDAlliance.org, which requires their listed doulas to agree to a code of ethics and demonstrate knowledge of best practices.*
