My days are never exactly the same, but one thing always stays true: my focus is on supporting people and their families during some of the most meaningful and emotional times of their lives. I work closely with individuals who are facing the end of life. These moments are deeply personal, and my goal is to be a steady, calm presence as they navigate what comes next.
Most days, I spend time with one or two clients. Each visit usually lasts one to two hours, depending on their needs. During that time, we talk. Sometimes we talk about feelings, grief, fear, peace, or memories. Other times, we talk about planning what they want the last chapter of life to look like, how they want to be remembered, and how to make things easier for their family.
– Kacie Gikonyo
These visits are about connection. Every person’s story is different, so I take the time to understand who they are, what matters most to them, and how I can best support their goals and wishes. I am there to listen, to guide, and to honor their life, every step of the way.
Along with working directly with clients and families, I also lead Death Doula School, which I founded to help others do this work. I train and certify individuals who want to become death doulas, people who support others through the dying process with compassion, presence, and respect. Teaching has become a huge part of my life and something I feel very passionate about.
The training I offer is more than just facts and lessons. It is a hands-on, heart-centered experience that helps students grow into this role with confidence and care. I make sure every student feels supported, prepared, and grounded in the real-world skills they’ll need to walk beside someone during life’s final transition.
Before this, I was a registered nurse and nurse educator. I’ve spent more than 12 years working in end-of-life care. That background gave me a strong foundation. But what I’ve learned from being at the bedside, from sitting with families, from holding hands, from listening quietly when there are no words, that’s what shaped the way I do this work now.
Whether I am holding space for a client, comforting a family, or teaching the next generation of death doulas, that mission is always at the heart of what I do. Because death, like life, deserves care, attention, and humanity.
Kacie is a registered nurse, death doula, and educator with over 12 years of experience in end-of-life care. She is the founder of Death Doula School, offering comprehensive training for aspiring death doulas. Passionate about reducing fear around death, Kacie educates healthcare professionals, death doulas, and the public while supporting clients with personalized, sensory-friendly end-of-life planning. She also leads The Death Doula Collective, a national network empowering death doulas.
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