Welcome to OKC End of Life Doula

Birth doulas and death doulas function like two sides of the same coin. A birth doula is a trained professional that assists someone before, during and after childbirth. They work alongside your healthcare team to provide emotional and physical support, education and guidance to make sure you have a positive birthing experience.

Similarly, an end-of-life doula — assists a dying person and their loved ones before, during and after death. An end-of-life doula provides emotional and physical support, education about the dying process, preparation for what’s to come and guidance while you’re grieving.

The mission is a "good death" -  If there was one word to describe the secret of a good or respectful death, it would be communication. We do not have to be at the end of our life to begin to have open discussions with others about what our wishes are. For example, do we want to die at home? Or does the place matter as long as family is there? Do we want to be kept alive at all costs or do we not want to be resuscitated? Knowing these and other such matters is beneficial for the family and the medical providers. There are many accounts of families not knowing what the dying wanted and having to make agonizing decisions about their care. However, once there is open communication and an understanding of the values and goals of the dying and family, a respectful death can be achieved.

Death and dying aren’t always easy subjects. Conversations about your end-of-life desires and the legacy you want to leave behind can be particularly difficult for some individuals, as well as their family and friends.

If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, understanding how much time you have left and deciding how you’ll spend it can be difficult to navigate. For friends and family members — especially for young ones who’ve never experienced a death in their family — understanding what happens when someone dies can be confusing and challenging.

When we broach the topic of death, we’re forced to confront our own mortality and come to terms with what will happen to our bodies when we die. But when we face the death of a loved one, we’re confronted with a different set of challenges. Sometimes, we’re dealing with an impending death long before it happens. Other times, death happens swiftly and suddenly in the most unexpected ways.

No matter how someone dies, we each find different ways to grieve the loss of a loved one. Sometimes, we have to handle all the logistics around someone’s funerary services. And then, there are all the things left unfinished in the wake of that person’s death — their hobbies, their dreams, their bills and their responsibilities.

While dying can sometimes be a complicated experience, having help along the way to process your grief and understand what’s happening can make the act of dying more manageable. That’s where having an end-of-life doula can help.

Jeff and Nikki have been married for 32 years and have 7 children (5 on earth and 2 with Jesus). The Hill kids range in age from  30 down to 12. Yes, they are just a little bit crazy but have a very  close family. They have adopted the phrase “We may not have it all  together but together we have it all” as a family motto.

Jeff has served in ministry for the past 30 years as an  associate pastor, youth pastor, worship pastor and even church custodian  for a season. Jeff has worked with churches from 20 to 10,000. 

He has served as a Hospice Chaplain and Hospice Nurse and has also worked in the Funeral Industry.

He holds  a double major bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Counseling and a Masters Degree in Psychology and Counseling  from  Louisiana Baptist University. He also holds a PhD in Christian Counseling from Northwestern Christian University.

Jeff is also a Certified Professional Life Coach.

Jeff has also served as Pastoral Care Coordinator  for Integris Canadian Valley Hospital. He  keeps his nursing license active. (With that many kids it’s always nice  to have a nurse around!)

Jeff also serves as the chaplain for a local Police  Department.

Jeff is a member in good standing with the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS and the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE of POLICE CHAPLAINS.