As I sit to express my thoughts on the book “Resilient Grieving” by Dr Lucy Hone, I’m reminded of my initial hesitation about this book. Even after I had purchased it, it sat on my bookshelf for a while before I read it. I think my hesitation was based on the use of the word “resilient” in the title in a book about grief. Sometimes the term resilient is used in the context of “being strong” or “bouncing back from adversity” and I was hoping the book didn’t lean into a narrative that pressured...

As I sat by my sister's bedside during her illness and end of life journey, I knew something inside me was changing. I wouldn't be the same again. Yes, there was overwhelming grief and sadness. And also, beneath that, a knowing that I would one day offer my presence to others who were travelling home. I didn't yet know this role had a name as no one had ever mentioned an "end of life doula" to me. I understood the role of birth doula and had stepped into that role for friends in the past. But...

I love learning, professional development and spending time with other people who are passionate about working in the end of life space. In 2025 I had the opportunity to complete the Midwifing Death course, facilitated by Wendy Reilly and based on the work of Dr Michael Barbato. This course invited me to take a deep dive into my own beliefs and feelings around death and loss and what it means to offer a supportive presence to someone who is dying. We explored how to walk alongside someone who...