Intro to My Work
End-of-life doulas (more commonly known as death doulas) are non-medical professionals specifically trained to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support for those at the end-of-life stage and advocate for the wishes of the dying (or living!) to reduce burnout or emotional fatigue.
I'm a death doula, end-of-life photographer, grief companion, spiritual guide, and death work educator. I came into death work because I wanted to help de-sensationalize death, mainly in marginalized communities where our trauma is televised for entertainment or used as shock value to further political narratives. I envision a world where people are comfortable with facing death, so I dedicate my practice to removing the taboo and fear surrounding death in western
culture and replacing it with wonder, curiosity, and clarity.
I am a member of the National End of Life Doula Alliance and completed the end-of-life doula course at the International Doula Life Movement in 2021.
For services, please click here.
"I had a wonderful experience with Mikayla creating a plan for my bedside vigil. She was compassionate and inclusive and asked questions that will ensure not only my comfort but the comfort of my loved ones. I highly recommend her services."
- Harvey (from USA)
About Me
Death Doula | Healer | Poet | Author
My name is Mikayla (she/they) and I am a death doula born and raised in Atlanta, GA.
When I was a small child, I never really pictured myself actually being a death worker. It was something that always interested me and something I was drawn to, but I never thought I had what it took to be something like a funeral director, mortician, or grief therapist. It was one of those things I'd chalked up to my morbid curiosity as the only goth kid in miles wherever I went.
Even though I've watched it from afar, I’ve been flirting with death my whole life. My mom was in great danger of miscarrying me. I had a heart condition when I was 4 that could have killed me, and nearly did. I was suicidal as a teen. I got COVID-19 and was left disabled by it.
At some point, any fear I had of death waned, and I almost view it as a co-worker I see around the office -- one that I consider a great mentor.
It was the summer of 2021 when I discovered what death doulas were.
There was a video of this community of First Nations people that came across my timeline that I have never forgotten. This was around the time hundreds of kids’ bodies were being recovered from the Marieval Indian Residential School. The number had gotten up to 600 by the time I came across a video of the Cowessess First Nations community — along with other indigenous people and allies — traveling to that school and taking a month-long trip on foot to walk their spirits back home.
Something shifted inside of me.
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FAQ
What is a death doula?
Death doulas (also known as end-of-life doulas) are non-medical professionals specifically trained to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support for those at the end-of-life stage and advocate for the wishes of the dying (or living!) to reduce burnout or emotional fatigue.
Are you certified?
Yes. Specialized and extensive training exists through several reputable providers — which I've completed and continue to learn from. Although it's not a requirement to go through any sort of training to become an end-of-life doula, I earned my certification through the International Doula Life Movement and am a current member of the National End of Life Doula Alliance.
Are you affordable?
Everyone is different. Some people may want a single session to vent and get their frustrations out to someone who will listen to them, and others seek to find a more empathetic and personalized alternative to clinical therapy. No matter the reason, I work with my clients to ensure affordability and flexibility while still respecting my own hard work and valuable time. If you're in need of financial assistance, please feel free to mention that in your inquiry.
Does insurance cover your services?
At this time, neither medical nor private insurances cover deathcare services. For this reason, I offer payment plans and other options to make my services available to everyone.
How do I go about sponsoring those who can't afford your regular services?
If you would like to sponsor a client or their family for services, please click here for more information.
I am a death worker and want to learn from you in order to better understand my clients.
People who are aware that they have certain privileges are often lost on where to start and don't have a person they can go to for honest learning. Many death workers also realize there's a problem with discrimination within their own industry and want to make a difference. In order to ease that uncertainty and confusion, I have a specific service catered towards death workers that want to take the initiative and expand their knowledge on social and systemic issues within our society to better help the clients they want to serve.
Astounding experience. Mikayla's methods create a close bond between death doula and client. The conversations are personalized for each individual as so I felt like she actually listened to what I had to say. One of my personal favorite moments during our session was dismantling the tremendous fear of talking about death and saying my farewells to my family.
As we marched towards the end, I was no longer shivering with the thought of not being around. I set standards thanks to her guidance and let myself to be honest and clear with how I wanted to leave earth.
I'd also like to emphasize how sweet and honest Mikayla is. She creates a space for the client to feel comfortable and heard in an empathetic and straightforward. I'd definitely book with her again.