Here’s the short-and-to-the-point description of the role of a death doula: We provide non-medical, holistic support to individuals nearing the end of life and their families, offering emotional, spiritual, and practical guidance to make the dying process more peaceful, meaningful, and comfortable.
Words from the Artist, Lauri Keener:
“This piece is a commission that was gifted to an End-of-Life Doula, for her practice. I was given important colors as being green and purple, and imagery ideas of elephants protecting their injured or dying by forming a circle while facing outwards as a herd. Keeping guard for them but also giving support and companionship. Honoring tha transition of death, just as we honor birth and life. Coming up from the center, where the dying elephant would be, the clouds and spirit region. From that, over to the left flows new life coming in down into the herd. And then on the right, along with another guiding trunk from the herd, they exit out and back up into the spirit world. So it honors birth, life, death, and the in-between. All being an important part of the circle.
I was deeply honored to be asked to do such a special piece and valued the process very much. Much Gratitude”
Lauri Keener is a Colorado based artist inspired by music, love, meditation, nature, and social justice issues. She aims to explore and express the essence of this life experience through her painting. She currently has a studio at Globeville Riverfront Arts Center (GRACe) in Denver, and her work can also be seen on her website at laurikeener.weebly.com, and FB & IG @Lauri Keener. She can also be contacted at laurikeenerart@gmail.com or 303-396-5739.