What is a Death Companion:
If you're unsure of what a Death Companion is, don't worry! You're not alone! Death companionship is an ancient form of community care brought into our modern world. We provide non medical support in times of death and grief, even providing education during preplanning. We create caring, compassionate environments to talk about death and grief, we host home funerals and online memorials, we help maneuver confusing paperwork like Advance Care Directives, and we hold your hand in times of crisis. Death companionship is as diverse as the people we serve. We meet you where you are, we listen to your concerns and needs, and work with you to create a more empowering death and grief process. Alternative titles include Death Doula, Death Midwife, End of Life Educator.
My Story:
My name is Desiree Celeste (they/them) and I am a death companion located in Denver, CO. I offer support & education both in person and virtually, ensuring open and equal access.
More than ten years ago my Grama, who was and always will be my best friend, passed away after a three year stay in hospice care. While the medical care was incredible, my family’s emotional care was lacking. Without an advocate for my Grama’s happiness and end of life wishes, we were torn apart by grief and confusion. Our grieving impacted by struggling to organize final plans, we fell into doing what we knew ‘we should’ do instead of what we needed for ourselves and for my Grama's memory.
In the time since, I've been helping others find more comfort and empowerment in death and grief. Over the past ten years, I've worked with people in a variety of ways, including assisting in understanding paperwork, being a liason in times of distress, and providing personalized comfort.
My desire is to serve everywhere I can be helpful, to share of myself in ways that can empower others, and to create safe, comforting spaces for those at the ends of their lives. Many don't realize their rights and options in regards to death care, and I'm passionate about people being able to make educated decisions that are right for them.
Death & Grief Services:
Complimentary 15 min Consultation - Scheduled via Email
Death Companionship: $40-$120/hr sliding scale
Support in loss, death, and grief; including but not limited to making difficult phone calls, contacting funeral homes for pricing and services, education surrounding end of life planning and paperwork, emotional support for those experiencing loss, and much more. Feel free to contact me via email if you are unsure if I can meet your needs.
Grief Companionship: $40-$120/hr sliding scale for individual sessions
Grief sessions are spaces to share stories, tears, and connection in grief. I currently offer both public grief gatherings specific to the queer community and offer grief exploration in one on one settings. I work with both death related and non-death related grief. Grief Gatherings are scheduled monthly, view the current schedule and RSVP HERE or email me directly to schedule a one on one discussion.
Peer Mentorship:
40-120$/hr sliding scale
If you'd like to discuss service & event building, marketing, branding, or any other part of offering your unique services to those who need you most, feel free to reach out. I offer mentorship connects via phone call, Zoom, to request mentorship please complete this request form: Request Mentorship Here .
Credentials:
9 Keys Death Midwifery Apprenticeship
I am an apprentice of Narinder Bazen , Atlanta Death Midwife and creator of the 9 Keys Death Midwife Apprenticeship program. This is an information intensive 9 month program covering both the practical and emotional aspects of death work. This course covers Advance Directive planning, Death with Dignity, culture inclusion, and much more.
School of American Thanatology
I have a certificate of proficiency from the Death Companionship Community Crash Course, a month long course created by Cole Imperi to hone death worker's skills and knowledge during COVID-19. This course was through the School of American Thanatology
Rain Dove's Conflict Resolution Class
I have attended Rain Dove's Conflict Resolution Class, teaching ways to connect with others, particularly in times of aggitation, and how to deweaponize difference of views and opinions. This class was three days long with introspective homework and group discussions. Rain Dove is a non-binary model, actor, public speak, educator, and activist.
VSED Webinar
VSED is short for Voluntary Stopping Eating & Drinking, an alternative method to dying with dignity that is legal across the United States. This webinar was hosted by VSED educators and activists Nancy Simmers and Andrea Fenwick.
Media and Collaborations:
Trans Death Care Article
I have written an article with Talk Death Daily on trans death care advocacy and resources. Read it here!
Ms. Mayhem Interview
I was interviewed by Alexandra Cummings for an article on how I began my death work and how it relates to trans identities. Read it here!
