Community Highlights: Meet Chantal Soucy of With Dignity Death Doula Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantal Soucy.

Hi Chantal, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started to study for my diploma in Funeral Services (& Embalming) at Mount Royal University here in Calgary, as I knew I wanted to provide some kind of mortuary care or end-of-life & after-death support for people and their families. I previously enrolled in a practical nursing program with the intent to work in a hospice setting or at least in palliative care, but that type of care wasn’t exactly what I wished to provide.

As I continued in my studies for funeral services, I realized there needs to be more support for people during and after death, as even Funeral Directors can usually only work with the family for a short period. Randomly, one day, almost 3 years ago, I stumbled upon a video about death care and alternative options that are starting to become available, and I heard the title “death doula”.

Upon learning about death doulas, I knew THIS was EXACTLY the type of care I wanted to provide to people within the community. This newfound profession and what it can offer is what drove me to complete my certification as a death doula. I still plan on completing my studies to receive the Funeral Services Diploma to add to my knowledge of how to properly care for those who need it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a smooth road in the sense that when I tell people what the profession is, they are pretty welcoming to the idea or think it is a much-needed act of care.

The hard part has been the fact that most people do not know what a death doula is or what we do. Fortunately, more and more people are learning or hearing about us death doulas.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
“With Dignity Death Doula Services is a non-denominational, egalitarian organization as I believe everyone deserves dignity in life & death.”

Founded in 2021. I provide non-medical end-of-life care and after-death support. I also offer free personal directive or advance care directive appointments to anyone who wishes to create one (voluntarily because I believe everyone should have one in place). I also offer therapeutic art sessions and workshops by donation for seniors, people experiencing grief due to recent death or new diagnosis, and people needing support through their sobriety journey. I have spent some time completing training in dementia care, death vigil planning, as well as end-of-life animal & pet care, and in-home personal care.

Although I am located in Calgary, Alberta I do offer a lot of my planning or support services virtually/remotely for those who need it, as support through times of difficulty needs to be more accessible.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
Anything involving my grandma. She was the kindest, most accepting person, and always so proud of all her grandchildren.

My mom says I am just like her. That is the greatest compliment I could ever get.

Pricing:

• Free Personal Directive/ Advance Care Directive Appointments.
• Free Consultations. Art Sessions and workshops by donation.
• $45CAD/hour – The hourly rate is tentative as services are offered on a sliding scale depending on current circumstance

Contact Info:

• Website: www.withdignitydoula.ca
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/withdignitydoula
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/withdignitydoula
• Other: www.instagram.com/doulaintheden