What we do
We walk alongside individuals and their loved ones through the end-of-life journey, offering compassionate, flexible support shaped by what matters most to you.
We don’t come with an agenda. We listen, offer options, and follow your lead. Whether you need help navigating difficult conversations and overwhelm or creating meaningful rituals or legacy projects, we meet you where you are.
Our work centers the voice and agency of the dying person while embracing a village-minded approach to care. We make space for family, friends, caregivers, and community to find their place in the circle of care.
Above all, we help create space for connection, meaning, and even joy in the midst of dying.
About Us
Gentle Journey arose from a shared dream of providing compassionate and supportive presence to the dying and their loved ones. A mutual friend introduced us (Lindsay and Annice), and we immediately connected over our compatible ideas of caring for the dying, as well as our unified idea of creating a non-profit with the goal of offering care to all, regardless of ability to pay.
In Gentle Journey, we partner our individual strengths developed through our educational backgrounds and our complimentary doula trainings. While we are both comfortable with all aspects of non-medical care, our unique combination of training merges INELDA’s mastery of compassionate bedside presence and sacred vigil planning with Going with Grace's expertise in legal advocacy and after-death logistics. In this way, we are able to provide families with a seamless blend of profound emotional support and expert structural guidance.
Meet the Doulas
Annice Barber
Twenty-two years ago, I discovered doula work as my passion. That was the season my mom was diagnosed, and we began our utterly beautiful Carpe Diem Year. When looking back, I was stunned to realize that the last year of my mom's life was one of the most beautiful years of my life. From then, I knew that accompanying others at the end of life was my passion.
I supported friends and family as they considered or approached death, yet I was searching for more direction. In 2020, I was reading an article at home, and I literally jumped out of my seat with excitement when I learned of the newly formed profession of a death doula - this is exactly what I'd been looking for 18 years! I learned that the profession had just recently entered the broader conversation, especially 2015 -2020. I was trained and certified by the International End of Life Doula Association in 2022, and with my new skill set, I began reaching out to the broader community.
In the following years, my experiences of working with so many beautiful people and families have only deepened my calling to this sacred work. I found that my PhD centering on human conversation, connection, and culture beautifully bridges my knowledge with the sacred art of walking people home.
Today, I honor my mother's memory by raising three daughters alongside my husband, Neil. Together we love to hike, camp, and embark on creative family adventures.
Lindsay Hayden
I come from a long line of strong, caring women, yet, from a young age, I have felt perpetually drawn towards other peoples’ suffering, as if I was born with a heart wide open. Before motherhood, a career in social work provided an outlet for me to practice compassion and striving for equality.
After my profound initiation into motherhood that included a complete identity shift, descent into my own personal postpartum underworld, and an unnamed, sometimes all consuming grief, I had an intense realization. If I wanted to live more fully, without the constant grip of fear around my neck, I would have to stop running from death. Trudging through the early days of motherhood with a heart that broke wide open, death work found me before I knew I was looking for it.
I am deeply grateful for this journey and the lessons that it reveals. Accompanying people through the threshold of life and death has awakened me to the recondite offering that I believe we all hold for one another- presence. Wholehearted, unhurried, compassionate presence.
Annice Barber
"The last year of my mom's life was one of the most beautiful years of my life. From then, I knew that accompanying others at the end of life was my passion."
Lindsay Hayden
"If I wanted to live more fully, without the constant grip of fear around my neck, I would have to stop running from death."
Services
Life Review
Sometimes we look back on life wondering what is it all about or what it means. Through guided conversations over several sessions, we help you explore your story and identify meaningful themes. This process can foster greater peace at any stage of life.
Guided Imagery
First, we decide on a physical location that you want to visit, such as mountains or a beach, and then we go there in the mind. Beginning with a focus on breathing and relaxation, we move into guided imagery involving all your senses. This tends to be very soothing and, additionally, can help greatly with pain management.
Carpe Diem Days
Seize the moment and bring joy and deep, mindful living to your days. Together, we'll create a personalized collection of meaningful experiences that invite joy for you and your loved ones. We'll tailor ideas to fit your interests and energy level. The possibilities are endless.
RUGS Work
RUGS stands for regrets, unfinished business, guilt and shame, which can sometimes be difficult topics to discuss with those we love. Some clients request our help in facilitating and navgiating these dynamics. This is completely client lead with our gentle assistance.
Ceremony
Ceremony helps give shape and meaning to life's most profound transitions. It allow us to honor experiences that can be difficult to put into words—from receiving a diagnosis to releasing regret. Ritual invites us to witness one another with compassion, while we tailor the experience to your values, beliefs, and traditions.
Legacy Project
A legacy project, also called a remembrance project, is a method of writing your own next chapter. How do you want to be remembered? Perhaps it's through recording video messages, sharing family recipes, or writing letters. We can also explore meaningful ways for your loved ones to honor your life.
Retreats
Sometimes stepping away from the demands of everyday life creates space for clarity and renewal. Together, we'll design a retreat around your unique needs, values, and intentions. Retreats can be faith-based or entirely secular, and they may be created for an individual, a caregiver, a family, or a circle of support. Virtual or in person.
Vigil Planning
We can help you plan how you want your last few days and death to look. We consider all the details of mood and environment, even aspects that you might not have yet considered. Through thoughtful conversation, we'll create a personalized Vigil Plan that reflects your values and hopes for this sacred time.
Holding Vigil
The "vigil" begins when the dying enter the final active dying phase, usually the final 2-5 days. We offer our presence and bedside support as we "hold vigil." During these difficult days, we bear witness with reverence and compassion. We offer reassurance and respite care, prioritizing your dying wishes.
Grief
Grief comes in many different ways and at different times. We avoid pathologizing and wishing it away; we hold space for your heartache. A client may grieves many losses as a disease progresses. For the loved ones, grief can also show up as a shapeshifter. We attune to your needs, whether anticipatory or after the death has occurred.
Volunteer
Gentle Journey Services needs volunteer help both in person or virtually. Volunteers can help with our mission in many important ways, including visiting clients, researching client needs, delivering donations, writing thank you letters, and more! What can you contribute? We would love to hear from you.
Mission Statement
We believe that companionship, compassionate care, agency, and dignity are basic human rights, honoring the transformative power of bearing witness to one another without trying to fix pain or rush suffering away, because simply being present is often enough. Through deep collaboration, we tailor each moment to a person’s unique values and wishes while respecting their choices every step of the way. Ultimately, becoming more familiar with death teaches us how to live more fully—with deeper connection, shared grace, and a lasting awareness of the beauty of simply being here at all.
Values
empowerment presence beauty respect
Contact Us
We look forward to speaking with you