Meet Beth Goode | Death doula – end-of-life planner and facilitator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Goode and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
When most people ask me what I do for a living, the likely response I get fist is, “What? What is that?” The second comment is usually, “Why would you want to do THAT?” In America, culturally, we shy away from the topic of death, even though it is the one thing we all share. We are all going to die. It is the final act of living. And yet few people want to talk about it, no less deal with it in any real way.
Helping people to prepare, legally, emotionally, and physically for their own deaths is a fulfilling and rewarding endeavor.
I feel honored to be part of their journey and to help guide them along the way.
The surprising thing about this industry is the joy that radiates from each and every death worker I have met. This is not because they are morbid, but being present with the fact that our life has an end date makes living a richer, fuller, more appreciated experience.
Helping the dying and their families/friends navigate dying brings me into close relationships during challenging times. There is deep honesty and there are big feelings during this time. Those are two qualities I greatly appreciate and with which I am comfortable.
Death doulas or death walkers evokes a dire and dark image for most folks. I think the joy of living and also being witness to a person’s transition out of their earth body are two sides of the coin that is life. Most people do not put these two ideas together in a reinforcing loop that makes life all that much more fulfilling.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
A friend of mine asked me one day if I knew what a death doula was. Because of my work on the board of the end-of-life care facility I mentioned earlier, I was very familiar with the term. I had met many people who are death care workers, and all of them are the most joy-filled humans I have had the pleasure to share space with. I am most proud of the fact that I have finally found a profession that brings me a deep sense of purpose. To bring a positive death experience to a person and their family is extremely fulfilling. Starting a business presents challenges for someone like myself who has not had experience with marketing and networking. Things have happened pretty organically so far. I worked as a caregiver for a few years, and that has merged seamlessly into death work. My business is in its nascent stage, and I expect it to grow mostly through word-of-mouth. I am reaching out to geriatric physicians, hospice facilities, palliative care doctors and retirement communities. Stay tuned!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Topanga, CA! It is stunning in its rugged beauty. A huge state park is right in the center of the place. There is a free-flowing creek, beautiful hiking spots, a community of artists and musicians, and a small-town vibe. You can access the grand metropolis of Los Angeles and it’s music center downtown, cultural centers, sporting centers, museums and some of the best restaurants in the country. For me, a week in Topanga surrounded by mountains, vibrant old oak trees, and wildlife is the perfect vacation from the fast-paced world in which we live.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I met Alua Arthur at an end-of=life palliative care facility that was being formed in Topanga, CA. We were on the board together, and she was making a transition from being an attorney into being a death doula and trying to bring the topic of death into the mainstream and out of the closet. She has a school, Going with Grace, at which she trains death doulas. She inspired me then and continues to do so now.

Website: https://www.bethgoode.com/

Instagram: bethamygoode