Meet Chantal Soucy | Death Doula

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chantal Soucy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chantal, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Death Doulas are allies to the funeral industry and to medical professionals – we are not competition. One of the roles of a Death Doula is to help educate and guide people to make the best decisions for themselves regarding end-of-life and after death care, whether it is following traditional care or exploring alternative options.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
With Dignity Death Doula Services is named that not only to acknowledge that the subject of dignity in death is important, but also because I want people to remember everyone deserves dignity in life, too. It doesn’t matter where you come from, how you identify or what you believe, we all deserve that.

I started With Dignity Death Doula Services back in early 2021 while I was studying for a Funeral Service and Embalming Diploma. I have always wanted to “help” in some way but never figured out how before, so I entered into an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) program to follow in my mom’s footsteps. She has been a Registered Nurse for over 40 years. Even in nursing, I was planning to go into hospice or palliative care. As time went on, I understood that nursing was not going to be a good fit for me, and I entered a couple other programs before finding Funeral Service and “death care”. At this time I did not know that Death Doulas existed, and I wouldn’t until I started to get deeper into my studies. Once I found out that Death Doulas did exist, I knew right then THIS was the exact type of care and support I wanted to provide. I then began the journey to create With Dignity Death Doula Services.

During these past 2 years I have completed a couple more courses to further my knowledge including an End of Life Animal Care, Death Vigil Planning and Dementia Care Certificate. As things have progressed I have been asked to promote apps and services by other organizations, charities and lawfirms, as well as appear on a couple podcasts and public speaking events, which is something I didn’t think would ever happen.

Recognition and awareness of Death Doulas and what we do has certainly grown since I have started just a couple of years ago, and I’m really interested and also excited to see what the future brings for myself and other Deathcare Workers.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Randi Coones & Melissa Ross School Founders and Course Instructors
Virya – The Ontario School of Universal Energy
(Completed Death Doula Certification, End of Life Animal Care & Death Vigil Planning)

Death Doula Network of BC

Mount Royal University – Funeral Service and Embalming Diploma facaulty & staff
Calgary, Alberta

Thank you mom and dad – you have always encouraged me to follow my heart and to do what I think is right.

Image Credits
Chantal Soucy