Deanna Cochran - Accompanying the Dying: Practical, Heart-Centered Wisdom for End-of-Life Doulas and Health Care Advocates

One of the greatest gifts of love we canoffer another is to journey with them as they are dying. Thecapacity to do this is not restricted to a selected few, nor shouldit be, for the time will come when we want to be that companion orwe will be asked to be the friend, midwife, or amicus for one whois dying. In this small, beautifully written and stirring handbook,Deanna Cochran tells us how we can be advocates for those who aredying, preserve their precious normality, and be part of a loving,caring team. For some, this book will prepare you for the occasionwhen you need to care for a dying loved one. For others, it may bethe incentive to take this gift of caring into the wider community.It is a book for the timesa book that empowers individuals andgives them the courage to confront and overcome their fears anddoubts about caring for another.

Dr. Michael Barbato, Author ofMidwifing Death

In the United States alone, 10,000 peoplewill turn 65 years old every day for the next 18 years. Inthe same ways these baby boomers live their lives, the awarenessand priority they place on quality of life continues to grow aswell. This applies to how they live and age, as well as howthey face the end-of-life and grieve the loss of their lovedones. Deanna Cochran leverages her years of multifacetedtraining and broad experience in healthcare, empowering thoseinterested in becoming world class in serving the dying throughdoula-type services. These educational and occupationalservices Deanna provides are timely, opportune, and tightly alignedwith the mentality, philosophies, and priorities of the boomerdemographic.

Jay A. Drayer, CPA, Founder/CEO of

CareFlash (for people) and PrizedPals (forpet families)

Deanna Cochrans book overflows withexperiential wisdom one can acquire only through years of nursing,hospice care, accompanying the dying, deep listening, honestassessments of the death trade, human fears surrounding death,and well-honed personal instincts. As an end-of-life midwife andtrainer, Deanna brings a wealth of accumulated knowledge to herministry and now shares her excellent insights for everyone toexplore and take to heart in the chapters of this profound book.Read it and learn. You will be enlightened!

Rev. Jo Jensen, DMin, BCC, Authorof

The Be-Attitudes of Chaplaincy

I remember in the 1970s being interested inthe end-of-life (a term not actually used until recently) andwondering how I could best be of service. Oh, if only Id had abook like this one. The guidance, honesty, and direction would havebeen just what I needed.

There have been a lot of changes inend-of-life care since the 1970shospice and palliative care arenow household terms. With this exposure comes an awakening in thehearts of servers, those people who hear the call to work withend-of-life. Deanna, with Accompanying the Dying: A PracticalGuide and Awareness Training, has provided the tolls to findthe way. This book presents a great deal of information in aneasily flowing manner, and with just enough personal stories towarm the education.

Barbara Karnes, RN, Author of

Gone from My Sight

A comprehensive introduction to working asan end-of-life doula. Deannas longtime experience as a hospicenurse and her deep and heartfelt commitment to education areevident on every page. If youre called to care for people in thelast stages of life, this book will help you begin thejourney.

Sarah Kerr, PhD

Death Doula and Celebrant

Being with an individual who is dying ortaking their final breath of life is the greatest gift you can givean individual and they can give you. Learn to be consciouslypresent with the dying through Deannas heartfelt teachings. In1986, when I started working with the dying, I wish Id had herbook, Accompanying the Dying.

Rev. Sharon Lund, DD, Author of

Sacred Living, Sacred Dying: A Guide toEmbracing Life and Death

As we reclaim death, dying, and ceremonyback into our own hands, and hold it in its natural and sacredplace within our lives, Deanna offers her vast experience,enthusiasm, and wisdom to assist others to travel this journeywell. Her generosity of spirit and her ability to share herknowledge and insights through this book allow people to have afriend to support them in planning ahead or in a challengingtime.

Zenith Virago, Deathwalker

Coauthor of The Intimacy of Dying andDeath

For anyone heeding the call of anend-of-life vocation in any form or expression, Deanna Cochransvoice rings clear. The work she inspires spans the great dividebetween service and quest, joining the practical to thecompassionate, encompassing self-care and patient care in ways thatprepare anyone from any background or goal to participate and grow.This is Deannas superpower: encouraging and enriching personal,emotional, and spiritual growth around death to free thosecommitted to offering death care services to be fully present andeffective. By coming prepared and grounded, end-of-lifeadvocatesincluding home funeral guidesare truly ready to take upthe challenges and joys of supporting families through the death ofa loved one.

Lee Webster, President

National Home Funeral Alliance

Like an artisan creating a fine tapestry,Deanna Cochran, in her book Accompanying theDying, weaves together varicolored threads from herexperience as a hospice nurse, a death doula, a spiritual seeker, ateacher, and a caregiver for her dying mother. She has filled thesepages with inspiring stories, practical knowledge, and wiseguidance for living and dying consciously. This book is a must-readfor anyone who feels called to sit at the bedside of the dying,whether caring for a loved one or starting a new career path as anend-of-life worker. Deanna Cochrane is the teacher you need foryour journey into the mysteries of life and death.

Dr. Karen Wyatt, Author of

The Tao of Death

Deanna brings a truly wise voice to thissocial movement about reclaiming community-centered death care. Her words speak sincerely to those who feel called to servethe dying, dead, and bereaved. Regardless of what titles wevolunteers and practitioners use to refer to ourselves,Deannas writing describes the shared passion, compassion, andcompetencies that ground us in this precious and culturallyrelevant work.

Cassandra Yonder, Executive Directorof

BEyond Yonder Virtual School

for Community Deathcaring in Canada

Accompanying the Dying

Practical, Heart-Centered Wisdom

for End-of-Life Doulas and HealthcareAdvocates

Copyright 2019 by Deanna Cochran, RN

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this bookmay be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, ormechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by anyinformation storage retrieval system without the written permissionof the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodiedin critical articles and reviews.

The information, ideas, and suggestions inthis book are not intended as a substitute for professional advice.Before you follow any suggestions contained in this book, consultyour physician or mental health professional. Neither the authornor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss ordamage allegedly arising as a consequence of your use orapplication of any information or suggestions in this book.