About me | End Of Life Doula Care -

Hi, I’m Emily, and I am death positive.
And I think you are, too!
“Death positive?” you think.
“But that sounds scary!”

We live in a society that is so death avoidant, that when we hear "death positive" our brain turns to the only thing it knows: camp and caricature ... think Lydia from "Beetlejuice" or Elvira, Mistress of the Dark!
It's more like this: I got into this work to help more people have more knowledge and less fear about something that will happen to all of us.
I continue to do it because I see the need every single day. I watch people struggle to start conversations about death and dying. Later, after the conversation, I witness their joy, relief, freedom and deep peace.
People ask me all of the time “But how do you work with death all the time? Isn’t it depressing?”
That’s the secret…

Emily is able to build bridges of communication and gain a family’s trust and participation, while upholding the highest standards of care. Her ability to reach across barriers, create an environment of trust, and accomplish real, significant progress is astounding...read more

It's not only not depressing, it’s actually profoundly beautiful. Khalil Gibran said "Work is love made visible."

I like to say that end of life work is in my heart and soul. After receiving my Masters in Social Work in 2003, I worked as a social worker for eighteen years. I’ve worked with a lot of people, in a lot of settings, but nothing else grabbed my attention and my heart like end of life care. It is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done, and I have a decade of experience. I love supporting people during transitions, and death and dying is the biggest transition of all. My time as a social worker in hospice, then in palliative care, was an amazing jumping off point; I learned so much, and had so many beautiful experiences. But, I saw that many of the patients and families I supported craved more, and I did too…more flexibility, creativity and freedom. More support. More “whole person” care. As a doula I am a listener, an advocate, a healer, a guide, and a witness.

I love to sit with people in the sticky spaces where real life happens…the spaces of opportunity and reflection. I don’t feel depressed or afraid in those spaces; I feel sad sometimes, joyful often and honored always. I love listening to stories in general, and it's definitely my favorite part of my work.

I listen because I believe in the power of story to teach and heal. I am a doula because I value the power of choice. I love to help my clients find what feels right for them as they tap into their sense of curiosity, gratitude and wonder about what’s possible for them.

So…I’m death positive, and I think you are, too! But what is death positive…exactly?

I had the honor to work with Emily in her role as a palliative social worker. She brings great care, compassion, and soulful skill to the bedside of each patient and their family....read more

I believe:

Hiding death and dying behind closed doors does harm.
The culture of silence around death should be broken through discussion, gatherings, art, innovation, and scholarship.
Talking about and engaging with my inevitable death is not morbid, it’s natural curiosity, just being human.
Dead bodies are not dangerous, and everyone should be empowered (should they wish) to care for their own dead.
Laws should honor a person’s wishes regardless of sexual, gender, racial or religious identity.
My death should not do great harm to the environment.
My family and friends should know my end-of-life wishes, and I should have the necessary paperwork completed clearly and stored properly.
My open, honest advocacy around death can make a difference, and change culture.

So here’s the best secret of all: death positive people (like us!) are the most life affirming, fun loving, free people I know! We know that life is short and we make our moments count!
When I am not working as a doula, I do my best to make my moments count! You can often find me walking in the woods, or dancing in the moonlight...(speaking of moonlight - curious about what Silver Wheel means? Click here!)

Are you interested in doing death differently?

CONTACT ME TODAY!

End Of Life Doula

Death Doula

Mourning Doula

Home Funeral Doula

Organizing Doula

Emily Pinzur

Your End of Life Partner

End of Life Doula | Death Doula | Mourning Doula | Home Funeral Doula | Organizing Doula

Email: silverwheelhealing@gmail.com

Phone: 206-925-3602