Mortality and Mindfulness with Annie Whitlocke, Buddhist Death Doula

Don't Be Caught Dead

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Annie Whitlocke is a death doula with a rich history of embracing life’s trials with an open heart.

Annie shares her profound journey from a turbulent childhood through to her multiple personal tragedies, including loss of multiple husbands and struggles with miscarriages.

These challenges have uniquely equipped her to assist others at the end of their lives. Her story is one of transformation; from pain and isolation to finding her calling in helping others face death with dignity and peace.

Key Points from This Episode:

• Annie's Early Life: Learn about her challenging early years in foster care and the impact of reuniting with a family she didn’t remember.
• Professional Evolution: From working in various caregiving roles to becoming a respected death doula, Annie discusses how her past experiences with loss and recovery informed her career.
• Philosophy on Death: Annie speaks to how her difficult life experiences opened her heart rather than hardening it, allowing her to provide unique support to those at the end of their life.
• The Role of a Death Doula: Discover what it means to be a death doula, the services they provide, and the emotional and practical support they offer to both dying individuals and their families.
• Buddhist Influence on Embracing Death: Annie explores how Buddhist teachings have shaped her understanding of death as a natural part of life. She discusses the concept of death awareness in Buddhism, which encourages living each moment more fully and with greater presence.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Contact Annie Whitlocke here
• The Trauma Cleaner by Sarah Krasnostein - Annie discusses how this book impacted her and her connection to the story through her interview with the author.
• Advance Care Planning: Annie stresses the importance of advance care directives and how they can ensure a person’s wishes are respected at the end of life.
• Buddhist Practices in Death: Insights into how Annie’s Buddhist beliefs inform her practice as a death doula, particularly around the concept of impermanence.
• Compass episode referenced: ‘Goodbye My Dog’
  Grist for the Mill

MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.

SUPPORT SERVICES
If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.

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Podcast Editor: https://www.livvimusic.com/

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/