Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores grief, connection, and a little-known practice called the psychomanteum. Joined by Dr. Irene Blinston, researcher, author, and grief practitioner, they talk about what this experience actually looks like, how it is used in grief work, and what people report during and after a session. 

This conversation breaks down the structure of a psychomanteum, including the controlled environment, altered state of consciousness, and guided process. Dr. Blinston discusses her research, including measurable reductions in grief symptoms and the importance of preparation, screening, and debriefing.  

Key takeaways include: 

• What a psychomanteum is and how it works  
• What people experience, beyond expectations of “contact”  
• Why healing can occur even without seeing or hearing a loved one  
• The role of environment, ritual, and altered awareness in grief processing  
• Who this work is and is not appropriate for  

Whether you approach this topic from a psychological, spiritual, or curious perspective, this episode offers a grounded look at how people process grief and maintain connection after loss. It opens the door to conversations that are often avoided, while keeping safety, ethics, and personal meaning at the center. 

Links/Resources 

• Dr. Irene Blinston: https://portaltohealinggrief.com  
• Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com 
• Get a free copy of Dr. Blinston’s eBook, “Gazing into the Afterlife" at https://freebook.portaltohealinggrief.com

 
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In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli discusses one of the hardest questions families face: when is it time for hospice. Joined by David Zartman and Joanna Franco from Caring House Hospice, they talk about what hospice really is, why families often wait too long, and how to start the conversation with a loved one. 

This conversation focuses on real experiences inside a hospice home, including what care looks like, how families respond, and what shifts when support is in place. You’ll hear how caregivers recognize change, why the word “hospice” can feel so heavy, and how quality of life becomes the center of decision-making. 

Key takeaways include how to approach the hospice conversation, what families often misunderstand, and why support matters not just for the person who is dying, but for everyone around them.  

This episode is for caregivers, families, and professionals who want a clearer, more grounded understanding of hospice and end-of-life care. It aims to normalize these conversations and give you a way to start them earlier, with more clarity and less fear. 

Links/Resources 

• Caring House Hospice: https://www.yourcaringhouse.org  
• Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  

 
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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli discusses long-term care planning and the question most people avoid: who will take care of you if you need help. 

Joined by Raymond Lavine, founder of Lavine LTC Benefits, they walk through what long-term care really looks like and why so many families are unprepared. This conversation goes beyond insurance. It focuses on caregiving, independence, and the real impact on families when there is no plan in place. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Most people do not think about long-term care until a crisis forces the conversation  
• Medicare and traditional health insurance do not cover most long-term care needs  
• Long-term care is not just medical, it includes daily support like bathing, dressing, and supervision  
• Having a plan gives you control over where and how you receive care  
• Long-term care planning protects both your independence and your family  
• Starting the conversation early gives you more options and better outcomes  

This episode is designed to help you start the conversation before a crisis. Whether you are planning for yourself, supporting aging parents, or working in end-of-life care, this discussion offers clear, practical insight into one of the most overlooked parts of aging 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Raymond Lavine - https://www.lavineltcins.com  
• Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  

If this conversation made you think about your own plan or someone you love, share it with them. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with future episodes. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores what it truly means to be an end-of-life doula in the United States and why families often discover that hospice care alone cannot meet every need at the end of life.  

Joined by Danielle Slupesky, executive director of the New Mexico Death Care Network and founder of Conscious Crossroads, this conversation offers an honest look at how doulas support families before, during, and after death. Together they discuss the realities of working alongside hospice teams, the misconceptions many people have about hospice care, and the critical relational support that death doulas provide to patients and families.  

Key takeaways from this episode include: 

• Why many families say “I wish I knew about a death doula sooner.” 
• The common misunderstanding that hospice provides 24-hour care. 
• The relational and emotional support that end-of-life doulas offer beyond medical care. 
• The financial realities and sustainability challenges of working as a death doula. 
• Why community-based death care may become increasingly important in the future. 

This episode helps normalize conversations about aging, death, grief, and end-of-life planning. Whether you are a caregiver, healthcare professional, death doula, or someone simply trying to understand what compassionate end-of-life care looks like, this conversation offers insight into how families can prepare, advocate for themselves, and receive more holistic support. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Danielle Slupesky, https://www.deathdouladanielle.com 
• New Mexico Death Care Network, https://www.nmdn.org 
• Host: Traci Arieli's, https://www.comfortingclosure.com 

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. If this conversation helped you better understand hospice, death doulas, or end-of-life planning, please share it with someone who may benefit from it. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Marilyn Raichle, author of Don’t Walk Away, about what it means to care for someone living with dementia in a more human, relational way. Together they discuss how dementia caregiving can shift from managing decline to building partnership, presence, and connection.  

Marilyn never planned to become a caregiver. Raised in a family where Alzheimer’s was considered worse than death, she was taught to walk away emotionally if dementia appeared. But when her mother began living with dementia, Marilyn’s perspective slowly changed. Through unexpected moments of creativity, art, music, and daily connection, she discovered a different way to approach dementia caregiving: as a care partner rather than only a caregiver.  

Key topics discussed include:

 
• The difference between being a caregiver and becoming a care partner 
• How fear and cultural narratives shape dementia caregiving 
• Why connection and personhood remain even as memory changes 
• Practical ways caregivers can reconnect with someone living with dementia 
• The role of creativity, art, and shared activities in maintaining relationship 
• The emotional realities of caregiving, guilt, and family dynamics 
• Major gaps in dementia care systems and support for caregivers 

Whether you are a family caregiver, a professional supporting people with dementia, or simply someone trying to understand how to care for aging loved ones, this episode offers a different way of thinking about dementia care. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Marilyn Raichle - https://dontwalkaway.net 
• Book: Don’t Walk Away by Marilyn Raichle - https://dontwalkaway.net 
• Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com 

 
If this conversation helped you see dementia caregiving in a new way, please like, share, and subscribe. Your support helps more people find these important conversations. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Dan Ford, President of Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes and President of the National Funeral Directors Association, to talk about something many people have never heard of before: therapy dogs in funeral homes. 

Dan shares the story of Joey and Annie, two certified therapy dogs who work alongside him to support grieving families. When people walk into a funeral home, they often expect formality and silence. What they do not expect is the quiet comfort of a dog sitting beside them while they process loss. 

In this conversation, Traci and Dan talk about how Joey and Annie became part of the funeral home, how families respond when they meet them, and why their presence can make such a difference during moments of grief. They also discuss the practical side of bringing therapy dogs into grief spaces, including training, certification, and how Dan makes sure both families and the dogs themselves are supported. 

This episode offers a thoughtful look at how the death-care profession is evolving and how funeral homes are finding new ways to support people through grief. 

Whether you work in end-of-life care, support grieving families, or are simply curious about how people cope with loss, this conversation shows how presence, compassion, and sometimes a dog, can help people feel less alone. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes – https://www.fordfh.com 
• Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com 
• National Funeral Directors Association - https://nfda.org
• Remembering a Life - https://www.rememberingalife.com

 
If this conversation resonated with you, please like, share, and subscribe so more people can find thoughtful conversations about death, grief, and end-of-life care. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli discusses why planning for the future often begins with a simple family conversation. Joined by Jermaine Ee, founder of the estate planning platform Heirlight, they discuss what it means to talk openly about retirement, illness, death, and writing a will before a crisis forces decisions. 

Jermaine shares the story of his close relationship with his parents and how those conversations shaped the way his family approached planning. After losing his mother, Jermaine began reflecting on what those conversations made easier for his family and why so many people still delay writing a will. 

Together, Traci and Jermaine talk about the real barriers that keep people from planning, including fear, cost, cultural differences, and simply not knowing where to begin. They also discuss why estate planning is not just about documents, but about clarity, family communication, and understanding what matters most. 

This conversation is designed to normalize discussions about aging, death, and grief while offering practical advice for families, caregivers, and professionals working in end-of-life care. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Jermaine Ee - https://www.heirlight.com, https://www.eejermaine.com 
• Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com 

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. If this conversation helped you think differently about planning, please share it with someone who might need to hear it. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli, end-of-life doula and founder of Comforting Closure, explores the reality of caring for a loved one with dementia. Joined by author and end-of-life doula trainer Patty Brennan, the conversation looks closely at the emotional, practical, and relational challenges families face when dementia enters their lives. 

Patty Brennan is the Owner and Director of Lifespan Doulas, a training and certification organization for aspiring birth, postpartum, and end-of-life doulas. She is also the author of Into the Fog, a personal account of caring for her mother through dementia. 

Together, Traci and Patty discuss what dementia caregiving really looks like inside a family. They talk about fear and uncertainty, navigating residential care, communicating with a loved one whose world is changing, and the many losses that happen long before death. They also address difficult topics such as appetite changes, end-of-life decisions, and how caregivers learn to trust themselves during a time when there are few clear answers. 

Key takeaways from this episode include: 

• What families often misunderstand about dementia and how it progresses 
• How communication shifts when logic no longer works 
• The emotional reality of caregiving and the grief that unfolds over time 
• Navigating residential care and advocating for a loved one 
• Why many caregivers feel unsure about decisions around food, care, and comfort 
• What caregivers often wish someone had told them earlier 

Whether you are caring for a parent with dementia, supporting a family member, working in healthcare, or simply trying to understand this growing reality, this conversation offers thoughtful insight and reassurance. The goal is not to provide perfect answers, but to help normalize the experience and remind caregivers that they are not alone. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Patty Brennan, Owner and Director of Lifespan Doulas, https://www.lifespan-doulas.com 
• Book: Into the Fog by Patty Brennan, https://www.amazon.com/Into-the-Fog-Patty-Brennan 
• Host: Traci Arieli’s Website , https://www.comfortingclosure.com 
• Additional information about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia statistics referenced in this episode: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures 

 
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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli speaks with Molly Pearson, founder of Birthdays From Beyond, about legacy, anticipatory grief, and how relationships can continue after death. 

Molly shares how her father’s cancer diagnosis led her to ask him to write birthday cards meant to be opened after he died. That personal experience became Birthdays From Beyond, a project that helps people write letters and cards to pass along love, stories, humor, and guidance to the people they care about. 

The conversation covers anticipatory grief, why people struggle to know what to say, and how prompts can make legacy writing feel more manageable. Traci and Molly also discuss continuing bonds after death and why legacy work is less about being remembered and more about staying connected. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Birthdays From Beyond - https://www.birthdaysfrombeyond.com 
• Instagram: Birthdays From Beyond  - https://www.instagram.com/birthdaysfrombeyond 
• Host: Traci Arieli, Comforting Closure  - https://www.comfortingclosure.com 

 
Thank you for joining us. If you have any questions, please comment below or reach out directly. If you've found this conversation helpful, please like, share, comment, and subscribe. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli talks with Martha Shedden, Co-Founder and President of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA). 

Together, they discuss how Social Security changes when a spouse becomes ill or passes away, and what families can do to plan ahead. This conversation helps listeners understand how illness, caregiving, and loss affect survivor benefits and what practical steps can make a difference during some of life’s hardest moments. 

Key takeaways include: 

• What happens to Social Security benefits when a spouse becomes ill or dies. 
• How timing affects survivor benefits and long-term financial stability. 
• What documents to gather before a crisis. 
• How to avoid common mistakes when claiming benefits. 
• The emotional and practical value of understanding your options early. 

This episode helps normalize conversations around money, planning, and caregiving, especially for families navigating illness, loss, and the realities of aging. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Martha Shedden – www.narssa.org | www.rssa.com 
• Host: Traci Arieli’s Website – https://www.comfortingclosure.com 
• Social Security Administration – https://www.ssa.gov 

 
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