Companioning the Dying
Dying can be a profound and sacred time where sadness and suffering are intermingled with joy and deep peace. Death can be graceful and peaceful, a deep learning and rich gift for all concerned, when there is someone to help ease and hold the fear and pain.
Talking about dying, what's being experienced and one's true feelings about it, is at the heart of companioning the dying. Our society finds dealing with the subject of death difficult, so dying can be a lonely journey. I can help by walking alongside you on the journey.
Whether you are elderly and have a sense that death is not far off, or have a loved one who's been given six weeks to live, having someone accompany you through the process can make a huge difference to your experience of death.
My role as Companion is about:
- encouraging straightforward talk about death, what it means and feelings about it
- listening and really hearing, and being present to all the emotions death brings up; anger, fear, relief, guilt, regrets
- honouring the achievements, contributions and uniqueness of the life that's departing
- helping with healing relationships that have come unstuck along life’s journey
- assisting with practicalities like a will, living will, power of attorney, and funeral wishes, and with sorting out belongings
- enabling people more readily to die
- allowing the timeliness of death when it comes
Soul Midwifery
Soul midwifery is an ancient and essentially natural art of assisting in the smooth passage of the soul, before, during and after physical death. For more information about this please click here.
Testimonials
"When my brother-in-law became very fragile... it was wonderful to observe how Margie coped with such gentleness, but great strength and understanding of what was required. Her skill and compassion enabled a very strong minded old gentleman, with high ideals, but no religious attachment, to end his life comfortably and at peace." Bibi
"With your kind and warm manner you made a sometimes scary process into something which was valuable and took the fear away. I really enjoyed the session we did together about my funeral wishes and thought you were so sensitive." Lucy
"Margie has a deep personal trust in the process of living and dying. She respects the dying person's needs, and is led by them for timing and intervention. Her blend of practical sense, objectivity, caring, calm presence, and humour, smooth the process for all concerned. Margie shared in the day to day process of my Mother dying. Her presence was certainly a huge part of allowing Mum a peaceful transition." Jo, Bristol
Area Served
Whilst I am based in Morayshire, Scotland and serve mostly my local area, I am open to considering assisting with companioning elsewhere.