Watch us on WXYZ Detroit Channel 7, February 1, 2023
Welcome to The Dying Year
Comprehensive End of Life Doula Training and Resources
With years of experience in advance care planning facilitation, end-of-life doula training and mentoring support, home funeral assistance and home funeral guide training, Merilynne Rush is prepared to provide training, mentoring, and consulting that spans the end-of-life continuum to individuals, families, groups and professionals alike. Her continuing interest in addressing social justice issues in the end-of-life space informs her personable and empathic style, balanced with an emphasis on straight-forward, practical detail, and provides a welcoming environment to all.
Merilynne Rush, MSHP, RN, BSN
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Since 1980 I have been working with families in transition. This work is closely related to a lifelong commitment to social justice activism. For many years I was a homebirth midwife. Since 2009 I have been a pioneer in the end-of-life doula movement. My awareness of caregiving began during childhood, when I was coming up in an all white suburb of Detroit and learning from friends, teachers, caregivers, extended family members, and eventually from extensive travel and work around the world. I strive to confront my privilege, bias, and participation in white supremacist culture.
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That is why I do not turn anyone away for lack of ability to pay. I deeply respect the innate wisdom of each individual. In our classes we attempt to help us all tap into our cultural roots of compassion and caring for each other. Read more about Merilynne here.
In our classes we pay special attention to addressing systemic racism and health disparities endemic in our culture. Motivated by love, we make statements like, "If you're white, you're racist," and we don't shy away from difficult conversations. This can seem harsh to those for whom this is a new concept. We take seriously our role as leaders and are available to talk about this with our students. We firmly believe that we all, doulas included, have a responsibility to recognize and address our implicit bias and work to create an equitable and just society. The work begins within each of us and we invite you to join us.
What Are End-of-Life Doulas?
by Eve Glickman
End of Life Doulas are now featured on WebMD! This article educates readers about the role of EOL Doulas, as well as where to find and how to choose one. Merilynne Rush is quoted and The Dying Year is mentioned. What a wonderful way to educate the public and promote EOL Doulas and their meaningful work! Read the full article here. |
The End of Life Doula
by Merilynne Rush
The American Society on Aging's monthly publication Gernerations took on end of life doulas in this piece by Merilynne Rush that includes how to work with doulas and how to find them, as well as an in-depth look at what this care looks like and why it is necessary in today's mosaic of health care choices and needs. Read the full article here. |
What's Happening?
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End-of-Life Doulas
Wednesday Discussion Group 12 pm EDT, 9 am PDT
End-of-Life Doula On Training
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Advance Care Planning
Respecting Choices® First Steps Facilitator training.
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Home Funeral
Caring for Our Own Dead
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Please find me on Patreon.
Merilynne hosts the Ann Arbor Death Cafe, which meets online the third Saturday of every month from 10:30am to 12:00pm EDT. If you would like to attend, please send us an email and let us know.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Death Doula Profession featured in Time
For the first time in a while, Americans have been forced to consider their own mortality and the mortality of their loved ones. In this article, Merilynne Rush reflects on the increase in doula training interest and is quoted, saying “We’re seeing a huge flurry of interest.”. This article discusses what it takes to be an end of life doula and how COVID-19 has had an impact on the emerging death doula profession. Definitely worth a read for all aspiring and active doulas!
You can read the full article here: “Death Doulas Used to Be Rare, The COVID-19 Pandemic Changed That.”
You can read the full article here: “Death Doulas Used to Be Rare, The COVID-19 Pandemic Changed That.”
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"I first met Merilynne in person at the National Home Funeral Alliance conference in Raleigh in 2013. However, MONTHS before she had reached out to me as "the local" to help with marketing, contacting vendors, and making necessary phone calls. What a dynamo!! This woman is in-charge, on-point, and top-rate in every aspect related to home funeral and after death home care. I have so much respect for her and her abilities to organize and get us to where we need to be. Thank you, Merilynne, for all you do! It has been a real blessing to know and learn from you through the years."
—Sara Williams, Shrouding Sisters |
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Website designed by Lee Webster, Side Effects Publishing
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MAKE A DONATION to support the work of The Dying Year that helps other just starting out in the end of life doula field. Thank you!
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