Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula

Psychomanteum for Grief: What Really Happens

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2259959/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://portaltohealinggrief.com/]   * Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com [https://www.comfortingclosure.com/]  * Get a free copy of Dr. Blinston’s eBook, “Gazing into the Afterlife" at https://freebook.portaltohealinggrief.com [https://freebook.portaltohealinggrief.com]   Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes.

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. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2259959/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://www.yourcaringhouse.org/]   * Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com [https://www.comfortingclosure.com/]     Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes!

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

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2259959/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://www.lavineltcins.com/]   * Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com [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.

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. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2259959/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://www.deathdouladanielle.com/]  * New Mexico Death Care Network, https://www.nmdn.org [https://www.nmdn.org/]  * Host: Traci Arieli's, https://www.comfortingclosure.com [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.

Dementia Caregiving: The Shift from Caregiver to Care Partner

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2259959/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://dontwalkaway.net/]  * Book: Don’t Walk Away by Marilyn Raichle - https://dontwalkaway.net [https://dontwalkaway.net/]  * Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com [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.