YOUR ANCESTRAL JOURNEY BEGINS HERE.
Grief Support
We provide compassionate grief support tailored to individual needs, helping people navigate their feelings and experiences during and after the loss of a loved one. Our approach is to offer a comforting presence, listen empathetically, and facilitate healthy grieving processes, which may include discussing memories, managing emotions, and finding a path forward.
In-Home, Hospital, or Hospice Visits
Our services are flexible and adaptable, providing support wherever it is needed—whether at home, in a hospital, or a hospice setting. We ensure that our presence is one of comfort and support, helping to ease the emotional environment and provide a soothing presence to both the dying and their families.
Caregiver Support and Respite
Recognizing the immense burden placed on caregivers, we offer support and respite services that allow caregivers to take necessary breaks, focus on self-care, and manage their own well-being while ensuring their loved one continues to receive compassionate attention and companionship.
Bedside Vigil/Vigil Planning
We assist in planning and conducting bedside vigils, creating a serene and respectful atmosphere as life's final moments approach. Our vigil support is designed to honor the dying person's wishes, involve loved ones as desired, and hold space for emotional and spiritual needs during this profound time.
Assistance with Funeral Planning and Memory Projects
We help families in planning funerals and memorial services that reflect the unique life of their loved one. Additionally, we can guide and assist in creating lasting memory projects such as scrapbooks, photo collages, or other personal tributes that celebrate and remember the life of the deceased.
Assistance in Creating Meaningful Death Rituals
Understanding the importance of rituals in the grieving and letting go process, we provide assistance in creating meaningful death rituals that honor cultural, spiritual, or personal beliefs and practices. These rituals can provide significant solace and a sense of closure to those passing and their families.
Specialized Support for African Traditional Religious Rites
We provide dedicated support for families and individuals practicing African Traditional Religions, offering expert guidance in the specific death rites and rituals of these rich spiritual traditions. Whether you are well-versed in your traditions or find yourself navigating them for the first time due to a family member’s wishes, we are here to facilitate these important rites with respect, dignity, and deep understanding.
“If you don't know that there is a certain joy in death, come sit by me and I'll tell you a story. Joy is tied to dignity, to peace and to love. In the end, it is all that we have and all that we take.”
MEET YOUR DEATH DOULA
Sili Recio
Death Doula, End-of-Life Companion
I am the founder of New Ancestor Doula Services, providing end-of-life services and committed to assisting in the birthing of new ancestors with compassion, empathy, and intention.
My journey into deathwork began with the profound experience of my grandmother's illness and then her passing in 2005. I had to take the helm of planning her care leading up to her death, and through the funeral and beyond, in order to allow for my mother to properly grieve. My own mother died in 2011, and that experience turned my world upside down but taught me so much about the process and ritual of dying well. These events have deeply shaped my approach to end-of-life care.