Holding Space
...an end of life practice
Christine Ruggiero is a certified End-of-Life Doula and Death Coach, a non-medical holistic practitioner who is specifically trained to care for someone physically, emotionally and spiritually during the process of death. End-of-Life Doulas, also known as Death Doulas, support, educate, and uphold the wishes of the dying.
"What does it mean to hold space for someone else? It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control." - Heather Plett
Are you fearful of dying?
Do you have unresolved issues or conversations that need to be addressed?
You've received life-altering news. Are you and your family wondering what happens now?While being pragmatic and heart-centered, my mission is to provide compassionate and comprehensive support to individuals and their loved ones during the end-of-life journey.I believe...- that every person deserves to be surrounded by care, comfort, and dignity as they navigate this significant stage of life.- in personalized care plans that respect the unique values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of the individuals I serve.- an environment of peace, comfort, and emotional well-being allows individuals and their loved ones to find meaning, connection, and closure during this profound transition.Ultimately, my mission is to honor the sanctity of life by providing holistic, dignified end-of-life support, ensuring that each individual's final chapter is marked by compassion, grace, and profound respect.
I have always had an intuitive connection the human body, energy work, and the death process (both physically and spiritually). I embrace a heart-centered, nonjudgmental, holistic approach to working with my clients. Diversity and inclusivity are core values and are of the utmost importance. Death is the thread that connects us all."As death doulas, we are here to remind people that dying is not a medical experience but a human one. We are pioneers on an ancient path."After graduating from the New York College of Health Professionals, I became a New York State Licensed and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist with an emphasis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It was during this time that I cared for my mother, and subsequently my father, at their time of death."It was an honor to be able to share their respective journeys."During the pandemic, I was encouraged to discover a "career" that aligned with my heart and ultimately became an End-of-Life Doula and Death Coach."We've disassociated ourselves from aging and death to the point that we can't even discuss it. The pandemic emphasized our need for human connection more than ever."I currently facilitate multiple Death Cafés in the Las Vegas area. My goal is to empower people to discuss their thoughts surrounding death and to promote death positivity.I am a proud member of the International Doulagivers Membership Association, National End-of-Life Doula Alliance, and the National Home Funeral Association. I am also a volunteer at Order of the Good Death.I founded the Southern Nevada Death Doula Collective, an upcoming nonprofit who's mission will be to serve the underprivileged.
To discuss end-of-life concerns, Christine can be reached by
text / call (702) 280-2743
or by completing the form below:
It's never "too soon" to begin the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions:Why Would I Choose a Death Doula?
- Dying is #1 leading fear, we bring presence and peace
- Caregiving without support is difficult, we gently assist in the process
- Nine out of ten people prefer to die at home, we ease the transition
- As an adjunct to hospice nurses to close the gap within end-of-life careWhat Does an End-of-Life Doula Do?
- Education on the physical aspects of dying
- Respite and support for the dying and their caregiver
- Connect the dying person and their loved ones with local resources
- Assistance with Advance Directive for Health Care at any stage of life
- Support the dying person and caregiver emotionally, physically, energetically, and spiritually
- Foster open communication with medical professionals, hospice teams, and other caregivers- Facilitate Life Review and Legacy Projects
- Encourage forgiveness dialogue for dying person and loved ones- Advocate for the dying person's final wishes
- Develope Vigil Plan and create a calm, sacred space during the vigil
- Educate the loved ones to lovingly care for the body before/after deathWhat Doesn't an End-of-Life Doula do?
- Mental health counseling
- Administer medications
- Medical care or advice
- Funeral planning
- Give legal advice
- Will preparation
- Wound care
- Take overWhen Would I Need a Death Doula?
- At any time during the end-of-life process
- At the initial diagnosis of a terminal disease
- When considering the gift of an Advance DirectiveDo you offer a consultation?
I offer a complementary consultation in which to get to know and better understand the situation at hand. It also gives the client a chance to get to know me and see if we are a good fit.Each situation is unique, and working with a death doula ensures individualized care at the end of a loved one's life.All services are permission-based as the dying person has ultimate say in their care.
What does it cost?
Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and some insurances. While this is good, it governs the amount of time a hospice nurse or volunteer can be with the patient and family. Death doula services are not regulated by insurance. While this means an out of pocket cost, the benefit is you get the amount of services and time you need. Death doulas are a non-medical adjunct to hospice and work along side hospice to ensure better end-of-life care.Two hour package: $175
Eight hour package: $670 (5% savings)
Sixteen hour package: $1270 (10% savings)
Twenty hour package: $1490 (15% savings)These hours can be scheduled in any way necessary (for example: blocks of two hours per day; sitting vigil for twenty hours during the transition time).I also offer "a la carte" rates for individual services such as an Advance Directive, End-of-Life Plan, Life Death Coaching, Legacy Projects, Breathwork, Bereavement Organization and Swedish Death Cleaning.After our consultation, I will provide you with a customized plan as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours).Sliding scale is available and is based on the Green Bottle Model created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk. This sliding scale represents the idea that financial resources, including income, are not and should not be the only determining factor in whether or not someone can access services/care/etc. For a sliding scale to work it relies on the principles of truthfulness, respect for complexity, and accountability. I do not ask for income verification. I trust my clients to be honest. Please be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility.
"An awareness of death enables us to live each day, each moment filled with appreciation for the unique opportunity we have to create something of our time on earth and confronting the reality of death actually enables us to bring unlimited creativity, courage, and joy into each instant of our lives." - Daisaku Ikeda
2022 Holding Space Las Vegas LLC
Artwork by SculptTheWorld
HSLV acknowledges the indigenous people that have called southern Nevada home for centuries: the Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute) and the Ancestral Pueblo.