Walking Beside at Life’s End: Mikey Marin’s Journey as a Death Doula

At Learn2Care, we acknowledge the caregiver who shows up to life’s most private moments: those few instances when there aren’t many answers, feelings are deep, and the only thing needed is being there.

We spoke with Mikey Marin, aka Mikey the Death Doula, an End-of-Life Care Specialist and founder of Healing Hearts House LLC. Mikey supports individuals and their families through the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying so that dignity, comfort, and peace can be maintained in this deep life transition.

This is the story of Mikey, in her own words.

Mikey says it was seeing the regularity with which families go into crisis, not from lack of love, but simply for not talking about death. Death is one of those things many of us avoid until such time as we have to confront it.

The avoidance brings fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm, and in turn, a sacred time becomes confusion and distress.

I Walk Beside, I Don’t Take Over

I walk alongside people and their loved ones at the end of life, offering a steady presence, clear guidance, and emotional support. This work does not replace medical care. It exists beside it, helping families feel grounded and supported during an incredibly tender time.

My work stands on one simple notion:

Supporting the Whole Experience of Dying

I provide a non-medical, holistic approach to end-of-life support with Healing Hearts House LLC, tailored to each family in whatever emotional, spiritual, and practical need they may have.

My work is:

• Helping families prepare for the end of life through values-based conversations and advance care planning
• Providing comfort care, giving respite, to support both the person and their caregivers
• Guiding families through Swedish death cleaning: gently organizing and honoring belongings with intention
• Supporting the legacy work of storytelling, memory-keeping, and meaning-making
• Grief coaching prior to and following a loss

“No one should feel alone at the end of life — and in the grief that follows.”

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Get to Know the Expert Better

Mikey Marin

Mikey Marin is a death doula and end-of-life care specialist. Founder, Healing Hearts House, LLC. Mikey Marin is a certified death doula, grief coach, death educator, and advanced Reiki practitioner based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She provides non-judgmental, holistic education and support around end-of-life through Healing Hearts House LLC for individuals and families experiencing terminal illness, dying, and grief.