Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula

Traci Arieli
  • 4.9 (8)
  • Education
  • Updated Daily

Join host Traci Arieli for "Comforting Closure," a podcast where the often silent topics of aging, death, and grieving are explored with compassion and clarity. Each episode features guests who share practical advice, emotional insights, and spiritual perspectives to illuminate these natural yet seldom discussed aspects of life. Dive into tender conversations designed to demystify and destigmatize these experiences, offering solace and understanding to those navigating life's final chapters. Grab a warm drink and find a moment of peace amidst profound transitions with "Comforting Closure."

  1. 5d ago

    Funeral Planning Before a Crisis: What Families Need to Know

    I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores funeral planning and why it matters long before a death occurs.  She is joined by Dan Ford, President of Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes and President of the National Funeral Directors Association. Drawing from his experience working with families, Dan shares what happens when no plans are in place and how that affects loved ones during an already difficult moment.  Together, they talk about when families typically reach out to a funeral director, what people wish they had done earlier, and why leaving no guidance often leads to confusion, conflict, and rushed decisions. The conversation also touches on funeral costs and debt, the pressure families face when decisions are made in crisis, and the balance between honoring someone’s wishes and supporting those left behind.  They also discuss the role of ritual and cultural practices in grief, even for those who do not identify as religious, and discuss how funeral directors and end-of-life doulas can work together to better support families before, during, and after a death.  This episode is for anyone who wants to make things easier for the people they love and begin thinking about funeral planning before it becomes urgent.    Links/Resources  Dan Ford - https://www.fordfh.com  Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  National Funeral Directors Association - https://nfda.org Resources: National Funeral Directors Association consumer resources - https://nfda.org/consumer-resources   If this conversation was helpful, please like, share, comment, and subscribe so more people can find it.

    1h 8m

  2. Jun 4

    Homeless Palliative Care: Who Gets Left Behind?

    I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Michael A. Light, Clinical Social Worker at Harborview Medical Center, to talk about what happens when someone is seriously ill and has nowhere to go.  In the United States, many people assume care will be there when it’s needed. But that is not the reality for everyone. For people experiencing homelessness, serious illness often unfolds across the street, shelters, and hospital systems that are not built to support them. Many die decades earlier than the general population.  Michael shares what this looks like in practice. What happens when someone is discharged from the hospital without a home. And why we need to bring care to people, instead of expecting them to come to the system.  The conversation also explores how trust is built after repeated harm, how relationships become the care itself, and what it means to show up for someone in a way that honors their humanity.  Links/Resources  Harborview Homeless Palliative Care Program – https://www.uwmedicine.org/specialties/palliative-care/homeless-care  Palliative Care Training Center, University of Washington – https://pctc.uw.edu Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com    Like, share, and subscribe if you want to keep having conversations like this.

    1h 7m

  3. May 28

    Psychomanteum for Grief: What Really Happens

    I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores grief, connection, and a little-known practice called the psychomanteum. Joined by Dr. Irene Blinston, researcher, author, and grief practitioner, they talk about what this experience actually looks like, how it is used in grief work, and what people report during and after a session.  This conversation breaks down the structure of a psychomanteum, including the controlled environment, altered state of consciousness, and guided process. Dr. Blinston discusses her research, including measurable reductions in grief symptoms and the importance of preparation, screening, and debriefing.   Key takeaways include:  What a psychomanteum is and how it works  What people experience, beyond expectations of “contact”  Why healing can occur even without seeing or hearing a loved one  The role of environment, ritual, and altered awareness in grief processing  Who this work is and is not appropriate for  Whether you approach this topic from a psychological, spiritual, or curious perspective, this episode offers a grounded look at how people process grief and maintain connection after loss. It opens the door to conversations that are often avoided, while keeping safety, ethics, and personal meaning at the center.    Links/Resources  Dr. Irene Blinston: https://portaltohealinggrief.com  Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com Get a free copy of Dr. Blinston’s eBook, “Gazing into the Afterlife" at https://freebook.portaltohealinggrief.com  Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes.

    55 min

  4. May 21

    When Is It Time for Hospice? What to Know and How to Talk About It

    I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli discusses one of the hardest questions families face: when is it time for hospice. Joined by David Zartman and Joanna Franco from Caring House Hospice, they talk about what hospice really is, why families often wait too long, and how to start the conversation with a loved one.  This conversation focuses on real experiences inside a hospice home, including what care looks like, how families respond, and what shifts when support is in place. You’ll hear how caregivers recognize change, why the word “hospice” can feel so heavy, and how quality of life becomes the center of decision-making.  Key takeaways include how to approach the hospice conversation, what families often misunderstand, and why support matters not just for the person who is dying, but for everyone around them.   This episode is for caregivers, families, and professionals who want a clearer, more grounded understanding of hospice and end-of-life care. It aims to normalize these conversations and give you a way to start them earlier, with more clarity and less fear.    Links/Resources  Caring House Hospice: https://www.yourcaringhouse.org  Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com    Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes!

    1h 6m

  5. May 14

    Long-Term Care Planning: Who Will Take Care of You?

    I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli discusses long-term care planning and the question most people avoid: who will take care of you if you need help.  Joined by Raymond Lavine, founder of Lavine LTC Benefits, they walk through what long-term care really looks like and why so many families are unprepared. This conversation goes beyond insurance. It focuses on caregiving, independence, and the real impact on families when there is no plan in place.  Key Takeaways:  Most people do not think about long-term care until a crisis forces the conversation  Medicare and traditional health insurance do not cover most long-term care needs  Long-term care is not just medical, it includes daily support like bathing, dressing, and supervision  Having a plan gives you control over where and how you receive care  Long-term care planning protects both your independence and your family  Starting the conversation early gives you more options and better outcomes  This episode is designed to help you start the conversation before a crisis. Whether you are planning for yourself, supporting aging parents, or working in end-of-life care, this discussion offers clear, practical insight into one of the most overlooked parts of aging  Links/Resources  Guest: Raymond Lavine - https://www.lavineltcins.com  Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com    If this conversation made you think about your own plan or someone you love, share it with them. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with future episodes.

    56 min

  6. May 7

    When Hospice Isn’t Enough: Why Families Call an End-of-Life Doula

    I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores what it truly means to be an end-of-life doula in the United States and why families often discover that hospice care alone cannot meet every need at the end of life.   Joined by Danielle Slupesky, executive director of the New Mexico Death Care Network and founder of Conscious Crossroads, this conversation offers an honest look at how doulas support families before, during, and after death. Together they discuss the realities of working alongside hospice teams, the misconceptions many people have about hospice care, and the critical relational support that death doulas provide to patients and families.   Key takeaways from this episode include:  • Why many families say “I wish I knew about a death doula sooner.”  • The common misunderstanding that hospice provides 24-hour care.  • The relational and emotional support that end-of-life doulas offer beyond medical care.  • The financial realities and sustainability challenges of working as a death doula.  • Why community-based death care may become increasingly important in the future.  This episode helps normalize conversations about aging, death, grief, and end-of-life planning. Whether you are a caregiver, healthcare professional, death doula, or someone simply trying to understand what compassionate end-of-life care looks like, this conversation offers insight into how families can prepare, advocate for themselves, and receive more holistic support.  Links/Resources  Guest: Danielle Slupesky, https://www.deathdouladanielle.com New Mexico Death Care Network, https://www.nmdn.org Host: Traci Arieli's, https://www.comfortingclosure.com Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. If this conversation helped you better understand hospice, death doulas, or end-of-life planning, please share it with someone who may benefit from it.

    57 min

  7. Apr 30

    Dementia Caregiving: The Shift from Caregiver to Care Partner

    I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Marilyn Raichle, author of Don’t Walk Away, about what it means to care for someone living with dementia in a more human, relational way. Together they discuss how dementia caregiving can shift from managing decline to building partnership, presence, and connection.   Marilyn never planned to become a caregiver. Raised in a family where Alzheimer’s was considered worse than death, she was taught to walk away emotionally if dementia appeared. But when her mother began living with dementia, Marilyn’s perspective slowly changed. Through unexpected moments of creativity, art, music, and daily connection, she discovered a different way to approach dementia caregiving: as a care partner rather than only a caregiver.   Key topics discussed include:   • The difference between being a caregiver and becoming a care partner  • How fear and cultural narratives shape dementia caregiving  • Why connection and personhood remain even as memory changes  • Practical ways caregivers can reconnect with someone living with dementia  • The role of creativity, art, and shared activities in maintaining relationship  • The emotional realities of caregiving, guilt, and family dynamics  • Major gaps in dementia care systems and support for caregivers  Whether you are a family caregiver, a professional supporting people with dementia, or simply someone trying to understand how to care for aging loved ones, this episode offers a different way of thinking about dementia care.  Links/Resources  Guest: Marilyn Raichle - https://dontwalkaway.net Book: Don’t Walk Away by Marilyn Raichle - https://dontwalkaway.net Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com   If this conversation helped you see dementia caregiving in a new way, please like, share, and subscribe. Your support helps more people find these important conversations.

    40 min

  8. Apr 23

    Therapy Dogs in Funeral Homes: Comfort for Grieving Families

    I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Dan Ford, President of Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes and President of the National Funeral Directors Association, to talk about something many people have never heard of before: therapy dogs in funeral homes.  Dan shares the story of Joey and Annie, two certified therapy dogs who work alongside him to support grieving families. When people walk into a funeral home, they often expect formality and silence. What they do not expect is the quiet comfort of a dog sitting beside them while they process loss.  In this conversation, Traci and Dan talk about how Joey and Annie became part of the funeral home, how families respond when they meet them, and why their presence can make such a difference during moments of grief. They also discuss the practical side of bringing therapy dogs into grief spaces, including training, certification, and how Dan makes sure both families and the dogs themselves are supported.  This episode offers a thoughtful look at how the death-care profession is evolving and how funeral homes are finding new ways to support people through grief.  Whether you work in end-of-life care, support grieving families, or are simply curious about how people cope with loss, this conversation shows how presence, compassion, and sometimes a dog, can help people feel less alone.  Links/Resources  Guest: Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes – https://www.fordfh.com Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com National Funeral Directors Association - https://nfda.orgRemembering a Life - https://www.rememberingalife.com  If this conversation resonated with you, please like, share, and subscribe so more people can find thoughtful conversations about death, grief, and end-of-life care.

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Join host Traci Arieli for "Comforting Closure," a podcast where the often silent topics of aging, death, and grieving are explored with compassion and clarity. Each episode features guests who share practical advice, emotional insights, and spiritual perspectives to illuminate these natural yet seldom discussed aspects of life. Dive into tender conversations designed to demystify and destigmatize these experiences, offering solace and understanding to those navigating life's final chapters. Grab a warm drink and find a moment of peace amidst profound transitions with "Comforting Closure."

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