Devotee to the Trees
Devotee to the Trees offers end-of-life doula care in the Catskills, NY—supporting individuals and families through home vigils, after-death care, and community-based alternatives to institutional care.
Many people today are seeking another way:
To stay home through the dying process
To create sacred space for vigil - a container that holds both joy and sorrow, and gently eases fear and crisis
To care for the body after death with care and reverence
To hold a home funeral or a meaningful ritual after death in a personalized setting where families take active roles in caring for their loved ones
To make decisions on body disposition in a way that reflects the values and wishes of the life lived
I walk alongside individuals and families who are choosing to step outside of institutionalized end-of-life care, and who are wanting to take on active roles in caring for their loved one in a way that reflects their values and beliefs.
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When time and health allow, I work with individuals and families to create intentional care plans for the vigil—plans that reflect personal values, wishes, and what brings comfort and meaning. These plans are rooted in dignity and a deep honoring of the dying process.
If desired, I am also present during the vigil—offering a calm, compassionate presence to ensure those wishes are upheld. I provide steady support to both the person who is dying and their circle of care, helping to cultivate a space of connection, reverence, and rest.
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After a death, there is still deep care to be given. I support families in tending to the body with reverence and calm, honoring cultural, spiritual, or personal practices. This may include gentle washing, anointing, dressing, and creating a sacred space for final goodbyes.
Together, we move at a pace that respects the rhythms of grief and the wishes of the departed. Whether guiding a home vigil, preparing for a home funeral, or coordinating with natural burial plans, I offer presence and practical support so that this tender time may unfold with intention, dignity, and love.
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A home funeral allows families to care for their loved one after death in the comfort and intimacy of their own home. This practice honors the natural rhythms of grief, providing time and space for meaningful rituals, personal farewells, and community support.
I collaborate with families and licensed funeral directors to ensure that all legal requirements are met while preserving the family's autonomy in creating a personalized and meaningful farewell.
Whether you're interested in a quiet vigil, a ceremony that reflects your loved one's values, or guidance through the legal processes, I offer support to help you navigate this sacred time with intention and care.
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How we care for the body after death is a deeply personal choice—one that can reflect values, beliefs, and environmental concerns. I support individuals and families in exploring disposition options with clarity and care, whether that’s natural burial, cremation, donation, or other emerging ecological methods.
Together, we consider legal requirements, local options, and the wishes of the dying person and their circle of care. These conversations, when held ahead of time, can bring peace of mind and help loved ones feel more grounded in a time of grief. My role is to offer guidance, resources, and support in making informed, meaningful decisions.
I am Kirby.
I have always been a caregiver, and over the past five years, my path has led me to supporting people at the end of their lives. During my time living in Central Mexico, I trained with a team of Life, Death, and Transition Doulas, where I discovered the possibilities beyond institutionalized end-of-life care. I am deeply passionate about reclaiming death as a natural, family- and community-centered process—one that honors choice, autonomy, and empowerment for the dying person and their circle of care. I offer heart-centered, compassionate support to accompany the dying and care for their loved ones through the transition.
"Death is our friend precisely because it brings us into absolute passionate presence with all that is here, all that is natural, all that is love."
— Rainer Maria Rilke