Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bainbridge Death Support?
We combine creative storytelling, emotional presence, and practical advocacy to help you craft meaningful legacies and navigate life's final chapters with intention and dignity.​

What services do you offer?
Legacy creation (books, video, digital archives), celebration-of-life design, funeral and memorial support, online memorial management, final social media posts and account log-outs, posthumous letters and gifts with execution contracts, and ongoing grief support and milestone check-ins.​

How is Bainbridge Death Support different from other end-of-life services?
We create bespoke experiences that honor your autonomy and legacy. We show up before, during, and after—attending celebrations, funerals, and milestone anniversaries. We ensure your digital posthumous wishes are executed exactly as you intend.​

Do you work with other providers—hospice, funeral homes, therapists?
Yes. We collaborate with and complement medical, funeral, and mental health professionals. We are not a replacement for medical care, but we enhance and support the full landscape of your care.​

What is a death doula?
A death doula is a trained, non-medical professional who provides emotional, spiritual, practical, and advocacy support to individuals facing end of life and their families. Doulas listen, facilitate important conversations, help design rituals, guide legacy planning, and offer grounded presence during transitions.​

Do I need to be terminally ill to work with a death doula?
No. Death doulas support people at any stage—from early planning and advance care conversations to active end-of-life care to grief support after loss. Many people find value in legacy planning and doula support years before facing serious illness.​

What can I expect during our time together?
Every relationship is unique. You might meet for a single consultation, weekly check-ins over months, or intensive daily support during a critical time. We listen to your needs and adjust as circumstances evolve. Meetings can be in-person or virtual.​

Will you attend my celebration of life, funeral, or memorial?
Yes. We consider it an honor to show up for you and your loved ones—soaking in the love, bearing witness, and offering grounded presence during these meaningful moments.​

What is legacy content?
Legacy content includes professionally produced heirloom books, documentary videos, recorded interviews, written memoirs, photo archives, digital storytelling, and other keepsakes that capture your life story, wisdom, and values for future generations.​

Why is legacy creation valuable?
Legacy content honors your individuality, preserves your voice and values, gives loved ones a lasting connection to you, and often helps families process loss and grief. It also reduces the burden on next of kin to "figure out" your story after you're gone.​

How long does a legacy project take?
Timeline depends on scope—from a single recorded interview (hours) to a full multimedia project (weeks or months). We discuss timelines during consultation and adjust as needed.​

Can family members be involved in legacy creation?
Absolutely. Many clients want family involved in interviews, memory-sharing, or creative decisions. We design each project to honor your preferences and relationships.​

What is online legacy management?
We manage your digital presence after death—including memorial pages, final social media posts, account closures, and protecting your image and online reputation according to your wishes.​

Do you offer "delete me" services?
Yes. We can remove or restrict unwanted online information, manage privacy settings, and ensure your digital footprint reflects your values and legacy intentions.​

Can you handle final social media posts and account log-outs?
Yes. We draft, schedule, and can post final messages on your behalf, manage account closures, and remove access for others—all executed according to your written wishes and contracts.​

How do you ensure privacy and security?
All digital work is handled with binding contracts and clear execution instructions. Passwords and access are managed securely; we do not retain personal login information.

What are posthumous letters and gifts?
You can write letters, emails, or record messages to be delivered to loved ones after your death—on birthdays, anniversaries, or specific milestones. We hold these securely and ensure delivery exactly as you wish, with legal contracts to guide execution.​

Can I arrange flowers or gifts to be sent after I'm gone?
Yes. We can coordinate with florists, gift services, or personal deliveries to ensure your loved ones receive tokens of your love and remembrance at meaningful times.​

How do you ensure my posthumous wishes are carried out?
We use binding contracts that name executors, specify timing, recipients, and exact wishes. Your instructions are stored securely and reviewed regularly to ensure accuracy and feasibility.​

What if my circumstances or wishes change?
You can update instructions at any time. We review and adjust contracts as needed, ensuring your current wishes are always what we have on file.​

How do I get started?
Contact us via our website, email, or phone for a free 30m consultation. We'll discuss your needs, answer questions, and explore how we can best support you.​

What happens during the initial consultation?
We listen to your story, learn about your goals and values, explain our services and options, answer concerns, and discuss next steps—no obligation or pressure.​

Do you offer virtual consultations?
Yes. We meet via video call, phone, or in-person, depending on your comfort and accessibility needs.​

What information do you need from me?
During onboarding, we gather basic information about your health, relationships, cultural or spiritual preferences, accessibility needs, and your legacy goals. All information is held confidentially.​

How much does it cost?
Pricing varies based on scope—from single-session support to full multimedia projects with ongoing care. We provide clear, itemized proposals before any work begins. We offer flexible payment options.​

Do you offer sliding scale or payment plans?
We work with clients to find arrangements that honor both their needs and our capacity.

How do I know what services I need?
We help you clarify this during consultation. Some clients want legacy creation only; others want full doula support; many want a combination. There's no "one right answer"—only what feels right for you.​

Do you work with people of all ages?
Yes. Terminal diagnosis, serious illness, and end-of-life planning can happen at any age. We serve young people, parents, elders, and everyone in between.​

Do you serve people of all backgrounds and cultures?
Yes. We practice accessibility-first care, honoring diverse cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, languages, abilities, and economic circumstances. Death happens to everyone; and we believe everyone deserves thoughtful, respectful, culturally affirming support.​

How do you accommodate accessibility needs?
We offer in-person and virtual options, adjust communication methods (written, verbal, visual, etc.), provide materials in alternative formats, and design processes that work with your energy and capacity.​

Do you work in languages other than English?
We can connect you with interpreters and culturally-informed doulas as needed. Discuss language access during consultation.​

What if I have limited financial resources?
We believe legacy support should be accessible. Discuss your situation honestly during consultation; we will explore options together.​ You are not alone.

Do you provide medical care or advice?
No. We are not medical professionals. We can support you in conversations with doctors, help clarify options, and advocate for your wishes—but we do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe.​

Do you handle legal documents or advance care planning?
No, but we help you understand your options, connect with lawyers or healthcare advocates, and ensure your wishes are clearly communicated to your care team and family.​

Are you the same as hospice?
No. Hospice is a medical service focused on comfort care near end of life. We offer non-medical emotional, creative, and practical support—often complementary to hospice.​

Can you replace therapy or counseling?
No. We work alongside therapists and mental health providers. If you need therapeutic support, we help connect you with appropriate professionals.

Do you provide ongoing support after someone dies?
Yes. We reach out on anniversaries, birthdays, and meaningful milestones. We listen, remember, and help family members process grief and celebrate life.

How long does follow-up support last?
As long as can feels helpful and meaningful. Some families want check-ins for a year; others want ongoing connection. We adjust to your family's evolving needs.​

Can you help my family members with grief?
Yes. We offer grief support, memory work, and practical help navigating loss. Many families find value in ongoing doula support during the first year after death.​

What if someone in the family disagrees with the deceased's wishes?
We help facilitate conversations, mediate respectfully, and ensure the deceased's documented wishes are honored. We also recognize family complexity and work to find compassionate resolutions.​

I'm not sure if this is right for me. Can I ask more questions?
Of course. Reach out anytime. A free consultation is the best way to explore whether our services are a good fit.​

How do I schedule a consultation?
Contact us via Calendly, email, or phone at 206 617 9911. We aim respond within 24-48 hours and will find a time that works for you.​

What should I bring or prepare for our first meeting?
Nothing required—just yourself. If you have thoughts about your legacy, values, or support needs, feel free to jot them down. We can also help you clarify these during our time together.​