San Diego death doula gently holds the hand of a patient in hospice care

Death Doula Services in San Diego

Emotional, spiritual, and practical support for life’s final chapter.

As a death doula, my role is to provide grounded, heart-centered guidance through one of life’s most profound transitions.
Whether you’re facing your own end-of-life journey or supporting someone you love, I walk alongside you with compassion, calm, and deep respect for your values and choices.

Emotional, spiritual, and practical support for life’s final chapter.

Death Doula Services in San Diego

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Kathleen Gallacher, San Diego's best loved death doula

What is a Death Doula?

What is a Death Doula?

A death doula (or end-of-life doula) offers non-medical support before, during, and after death.
My work bridges the emotional and practical—helping you and your loved ones find meaning, comfort, and steadiness throughout the process.

Common areas of support include:

  • Emotional and spiritual companionship for individuals and families

  • Legacy projects and life-review conversations

  • Guidance for creating vigil plans and meaningful rituals

  • Coordination with hospice or home-care teams

  • Gentle presence at the bedside

My approach centers on respect, listening, and creating a peaceful environment where love and clarity can coexist.

Read more about what a San Diego Death Doula does on the blog

San Diego Death Doula helps with Advanced Care Planning

Why This Support Matters

Why This Support Matters

Death is universal, but how we move through it can be profoundly personal. Having a doula means no one has to hold the entire weight of logistics, emotions, and uncertainty alone. Families often describe the experience as “lightened,” “more peaceful,” and “connected.”

When death is near, I help families create a space that honors the person dying — one rooted in presence, love, and intentionality. I can support you in:

  • Creating a vigil plan that reflects your values or spiritual beliefs

  • Sitting bedside so no one has to die alone

  • Holding space for grief, silence, music, prayer, or storytelling

  • Offering gentle guidance on what to expect in the final moments

San Diego Death doula offers help memorializing loved ones

Rituals, Legacy and Meaning

Rituals, Legacy and Meaning

Every person deserves an ending that reflects who they are.
I can help design simple rituals, create legacy projects, or facilitate gatherings that honor your beliefs and spirit—whether rooted in tradition or entirely your own.

These may include:

  • Storytelling and memory-sharing exercises

  • Legacy letters or recorded messages

  • Candle or music rituals

  • Creating spaces for forgiveness or closure

Together, we bring intention and grace to the process of letting go.

After-Death Support for Loved Ones

San Diego death doula offers after death support to families

After-Death Support for Loved Ones

My work doesn’t end at the moment of death. I also help families navigate what comes next—providing information, emotional grounding, and continuity of care.
That might include guidance on:

  • Immediate next steps after death (home death protocols, contacting funeral homes, legal considerations)

  • Ceremony or celebration-of-life planning

  • Referrals to grief and bereavement resources

You don’t have to navigate those early hours or days alone. Compassionate presence makes all the difference.

Ready to Begin the Conversation?

If you’re curious about what death-doula support might look like for you or your family, I invite you to reach out.
Together, we can create a plan that brings clarity, peace, and connection to this sacred time.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Serving Carlsbad, Encinitas, and the greater San Diego County area, with virtual support available nationwide.

Reach Out for Death Doula Support in San Diego

Whether you’re preparing for the dying process yourself or walking beside someone you love, I offer compassionate, non-medical death doula support. Together, we can discuss your needs, create a peaceful environment, and explore ways to bring meaning and comfort to this sacred time.

Based in Carlsbad, I provide end-of-life support throughout San Diego County—in person or virtually—tailored to the emotional and spiritual needs of each family.

Connect with Kathleen