THROUGH THE EYES OF A DEATH DOULA
THE JOURNEY BEHIND THE LENS
Every frame tells a story, but the journey to capturing those stories is just as compelling.
The big question is...
Why make this?
This documentary was born from a deep curiosity about how we face death.
After learning about death doulas and the compassionate work they do --
I knew this was a story that needed to be told.
Filmmaking has the unique power to hold space for what is often unspoken, and I want to use that power to demystify end-of-life culture. My goal is to tell stories that impact and educate our society. Filmmaking isn’t just about entertainment -- it is about resonating with audiences, sparking meaningful conversations, and provoking real change.
That's why making this film is so important to me.
Bend, Oregon
Behind the Scenes in...
In October 2024, our small crew, with bags filled to the brim with equipment, went to Bend, Oregon, to film the Peaceful Presence Project and follow a day in the life of a death doula.
Each day felt raw and real. We weren’t just capturing interviews. We were part of intimate, emotional moments filled with honesty, laughter, and passion. Our team became a family, running on Loony Bean coffee, late-night brainstorms, and a shared commitment to telling this story right.
Kari Sims Anthon, Erin Collins, Elizabeth Johnson
The Peaceful Presence Project
One of the most profound experiences of making this film was being invited to spend time with a spitfire of a woman in her final days, alongside the death doula who guided her with such grace and love. The day was shaped entirely by her wishes, down to the music that was playing.
She chose to share her journey in the hope of educating, inspiring, and uplifting others.
It is an honor to carry that forward in this film.
WHAT'S NEXT?
So now...
Filming is complete, and the film is now in post-production. We’re editing, scoring, and preparing for festivals, with community and educational screenings to follow.
We are also expanding the story to include the work of the International Doula Life Movement (IDLM), a values- and mission-based training organization that provides affordable, accessible education for people ready to support their communities at the end of life.
Their work helps us show how death doulas are trained, how end-of-life care looks in different settings, and how the death doula movement is growing and changing across the country, and how we can all be a part of that change.
