Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between a Death Doula service and a Hospice service? A: The difference is medical versus holistic. Hospice services are medical professionals focused on clinical care, pain management, and vitals. Death Doulas are trained non-medical companions. We focus on the environment, the emotion, and the logistics surrounding death. We are the "project manager" of the transition, ensuring your story and legacy are told the way you want to be remembered. Years before and after death.

Q: Why "Creative Technologist"? What does that have to do with death? A: In 2026, we die two deaths: one physical, one digital. It turns out that a massive part of modern deathcare is managing the "Digital Afterlife"—social media accounts and cloud storage, often connected to recurring subscriptions.

We build bespoke, one-of-a-kind memorial websites designed to outlive physical monuments. (Think: all the interactivity of "lighting a candle" or "planting a tree" without the marketing and blah design). We ensure analytics access is given to future beneficiaries, not Wikipedia.

My foundation in digital engineering and design allows me to navigate these complex systems securely, ensuring your digital legacy is either archived or deleted according to your wishes, rather than remaining in SEO limbo. How will AI reconstruct your legacy for you someday? Let's investigate and work on that.

Q: Is your service religious? A: BDS is a secular practice. We support clients of all faiths and of no faith. Ritual is a human need. We are happy to collaborate with your clergy and spiritual advisors. We are here to discover rituals that reflect your personal values in every way.

Q: I have a complicated family dynamic. Can you help? A: Yes. One of the primary roles of a Doula is to be a neutral third party. We are trained to facilitate conversations about your wishes that might be too emotionally charged to have directly with a spouse or child. By formalizing your wishes in a plan, we remove the burden of guessing from your family, which often de-escalates conflict.

Process & Logistics

Q: What is "Legacy Architecture"? A: This is my term for the proactive design of how you will be remembered. It is the opposite of a "shoebox full of photos."

We use professional audio/video tools and archival standards to deliver heirloom-quality legacy content. Recorded oral histories, hand-bound photo books, or a specific message left for a loved one. We treat your life story as a production that deserves high-quality direction.

Q: Do you act as the Executor of my estate? A: No. The Executor is a legal role designated in your will. We act as a support service to the Executor so they can do their job best. While they handle the legalities, we get into the weeds of the creative direction and the atmosphere of how you are remembered.

Q: I’m healthy. Is it too early to hire you? A: If you have assets (digital or physical) and people you love, it is not too early. While much of this work is traditionally done months or years before a transition, doing it while you are healthy allows you to curate your narrative with a clear mind, rather than rushing it in a potential crisis.

Services & Fees

Q: How do your fees work? A: Much of my doula work is as a volunteer advocate for my neighbors and community. For ongoing professional support, we offer three ways to engage:

• A la Carte Projects: Flat fees for specific deliverables. This includes digital audits, hand-bound book production, personal oral history podcasts and video series, interviews, autopen handwritten letters, and bespoke legacy project production. Let's make it happen.
• The Retainer: A monthly engagement for ongoing support during an active transition or terminal diagnosis.
• Consultation: Hourly advisory for families who need immediate guidance but want to execute the tasks themselves.

All engagements begin with a Discovery Call to assess your needs.

Contact Us

You are not alone. Day or night, give us a call. We enjoy hearing from people.

Phone: (206) 617-1199 If you are reading this, our line is being monitored right now. We utilize a team of vetted, wonderful receptionists who answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They can pass important information to Miranda or get you on her calendar immediately.

Prefer to book online? Skip the phone line and book a time directly on my calendar here:Book Your Discovery Call