What is End of Life?
End of life is a natural and deeply personal stage of life that occurs when a person is living with a life-limiting illness, advanced age, or declining health, and the focus of care begins to shift from cure toward comfort, dignity, quality of life, and emotional wellbeing.
This stage can look different for every individual and family. For some, it may unfold gradually over months or years, while for others it may occur unexpectedly or within a shorter period of time.
End-of-life care supports not only physical comfort, but also the emotional, spiritual, practical, and relational needs that often arise during this important chapter of life. It may include support with meaningful or difficult conversations, advance care planning, emotional connection, creating calm environments, honouring personal wishes, and ensuring individuals feel seen, heard, and supported.
At its heart, end of life is not only about dying — it is about living with comfort, compassion, dignity, and meaning throughout life’s final transition.
What Is an End-of-Life doula?
An End-of-Life Doula provides compassionate, person-centred emotional and practical support for individuals navigating the final stages of life, as well as for the families and loved ones supporting them.
Working alongside existing medical and palliative care teams, an End-of-Life Doula offers non-medical support that focuses on comfort, dignity, connection, and emotional wellbeing during what can be a deeply significant and vulnerable time.
With a background as a Registered Nurse and extensive experience across multiple areas of healthcare, Tanya brings both professional understanding and compassionate presence to her work. Her approach combines practical guidance with emotional support, helping individuals and families feel informed, supported, and less alone throughout the end-of-life journey.
Support may include:
Emotional companionship and presence
Guidance for individuals and families navigating end-of-life conversations
Vigil and bedside support
Advance care planning support
Legacy, reflection, and memory projects
Practical support and coordination
Support for creating calm, meaningful environments
Family support before, during, and after passing
Every end-of-life experience is unique, and support is tailored to honour the wishes, values, cultural beliefs, and emotional needs of each individual and family.
Introducing me
I am a Registered Nurse, mother, and wife, and my work in end-of-life support is deeply shaped by both my professional experience and my personal journey.
Throughout my nursing career, I have walked alongside many individuals and families within the healthcare system, witnessing firsthand the emotional weight of end-of-life care and how it can sometimes impact a person’s wishes, dignity, and sense of choice during their final chapter.
My understanding of this space became even more profound after experiencing the loss of both of my own parents to cancer. Being on the other side of care gave me a deeply personal insight into the heartbreak, love, and vulnerability that families carry during end-of-life experiences.
I have also personally faced a life-threatening illness myself, including a diagnosis of breast cancer, which has given me a deeper understanding of the mental, physical, and emotional strain that serious illness places on both individuals and their loved ones.
It was through both my professional work in healthcare and my personal experiences of loss and illness that the inspiration for By Your Side was born. I found a passion to create a more supported, compassionate, and present approach for individuals and families navigating this sacred time.
My legacy is to honour dignity, choice, and emotional wellbeing, ensuring that no one has to walk the end-of-life journey alone.