Providing Assistance During The Dying Process

John Bruce (right) with Ram Dass.

Most people have heard of doulas, who assist women through the birth process. But in the last few years, through what are called death cafes, more people are discussing the experience of death. Such discussions focus on how people would like to leave this world at the end of life. This movement focuses on creating experience and supporting the individual. That has led to the development of programs that help people become certified as end of life doulas, who form relationships with those who know they are dying and help them experience death in a way that is meaningful for them.

Two young men, John Bruce and Pawel Wojtasik, life partners who also have backgrounds in film-making, started the END OF LIFE PROJECT as a platform for stories about about individual journeys through the dying process. Both young men are also certified end of life doulas and have created a feature-length movie about their experiences as end of life doulas. Besides carrying stories about the dying experience, the envisioned web site would also have links to specific resources.



The good news is that the web site has opened, but it is still a work in progress, with a vision of implementation. It builds upon the full-length movie and the work of Mr. Bruce and Mr. Wojtasik as doulas. In its current form, this website can lead to discussions of how people would like to design and experience the dying process, including conversations with close family members and friends. It focuses on dying as a sacred process, a culmination of a life that has been lived fully and is experienced fully, as well.

The video clip on the site is a good introduction to the topic, with Ram Dass' thoughts about how the topic of death inspires fear in its contemplation. Then two women who are facing death have quiet conversation with the film-makers or with family members. John Bruce explains his sentiments about bringing the issue of death to public notice. He feels that by "engaging viewers in [objective] questions by way of intimate stories and resource options presented, we can progress towards greater compassion and care for the dying."

John Bruce, with one of his clients.

With the aging of societies in developed countries, death does become an appropriate topic for national conversation, as well. As Mr. Bruce and Mr. Wojtasik continue to develop their web platform, it will present unique ways of individualizing and enriching the experience as part of the life process.

Pawel Wojtasik

Thanks to this article by Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/john-bruce-end-life/, and the above link.

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