davida newman
certified grief coach
death doula
lighter rocks
​•helping lift life's heavy challenges•
about me (she/her)
• i like life with a side of humor.
• the homing pigeon of life finally dropped me in
the right place (that would be albuquerque)!
• things i remind myself often: "be here, be now"
& "don't doubt".
• my aries nature pushes me to take risks and
be drawn to red things.
• i can help provide needed breathing space for
you amidst the storms of life.
• with incredible gratitude i offer an open,
listening heart.
• i promise to bring my best to you on this journey.
• keep this one close: "keep death upon your
shoulder, it will remind you to love".
about grief
about death
griefing
as grievers, mourners, those left, those picking up the pieces, to be able to nurture a spark of healing,
we need our grief to be witnessed and heard. there is pain through the growth and healing of telling
our stories, as we rebuild a world where fear and shame are not setting limits and values for us. we are
looking for connection as we try and make sense of the scratchy parts of life, understanding we all will
"go through it". once we are able to take in and swallow a bite of these truths: "grief is a normal and
natural response to loss" and "we grieve because we love", life shifts a little and shows us glimpses
of previously hidden colors.
and if we can hold that view for a fraction of a moment, we can remember why we are here, doing
this exhausting, insanely human work. we have connected deeply, given freely, shared compassionately
and often loved unconditionally-- of course we feel the pain of loss so deeply. it's one of the rougher
rocks that sits in our collection. but it's as necessary to appreciate and revere as the shiny ones that
catch our eyes. stepping into this tricky grieving/healing journey is often best done with another,a hand
offered for getting over some of the bumpier parts.
my goal is to support, advocate and lift you as you take a step towards healing, and carrying lighter rocks.
just to say, i've got a bunch of rough rocks in my collection too . . .
time with a death doula
the work of a death doula is often just as much about living as dying. and preparing for your
own death can be the most alive human thing you can do: to lovingly and profoundly create
a path for your death journey.
death doulas have many talents and much knowledge to share with those who are ready
to ask the questions and step onto this ride, towards your final transition. death doulas offer
piece of mind, not just for you, but also for your loved ones, who can breathe a bit easier
knowing their focus can be on being present with you and not on details that you have
already thoughtfully considered.
​
death doulas:
• embrace what is special and unique to you & for you.
• offer support amongst ambiguity, and help you feel
secure knowing that all the puzzle pieces are in place.
• revel right alongside you, for all the awe-inspiring
work you will do.
• compassionately listen to you and to those gathered
to support you.
• are a part of your team, communicating & acting
with the intent to make sure all your wishes are met.
• serve as guides, helping you stretch into a space
a little more comfortable with dying and death.
• recognize and support you during transitions.
• believe that grieving and loss can be the beginning
of a healing journey.
as death doulas, the work we do in serving your end of life needs offers beauty and the intangible
grace that death can bring. our work is to embrace, honor and preserve the sacredness and
absolute staggering mystery of the life you hold, as a living person in a dying body.
we honor all your beliefs and values and consider it a one of a kind privilege to be by your
side as you plan your perfect goodbye.
​
"in the garden the door is always open into the "holy" -- growth,
birth, death. every flower holds the whole mystery in its
short cycle, and in the garden we are never far away from
death,the fertilizing, good, creative death."
--may sarton
reach out--let's start to talk about your rocks...
