Walking Home Doulas
Active dying presence & vigil holding · Advance directive guidance · After-death care advocacy · After-death grief support & aftercare · End-of-life planning support · Home funeral support · Legacy project facilitation
Death doulas offering end-of-life planning, education, and support.
About this business
About me
A death doula is a non-medical professional who provides holistic emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals and families navigating the dying process. We walk alongside people facing the end of life with presence, compassion, dignity, and care.
Death impacts not only the person who is dying, but the entire family unit—biological or chosen—in ways many people are unprepared for. We are experienced in supporting families through this profound life transition and helping them navigate the emotional, practical, and relational challenges that can arise along the way.
We offer grounded presence, practical support, respite for caregivers, opportunities for life reflection, and compassionate listening for both the dying person and those who love them. We help create a safe space for honest conversations, fears, hopes, grief, and questions about the uncertain journey ahead.
We also believe these conversations matter long before a crisis occurs. We are not only here for those actively dying, but also for people who are “death curious”—those wanting to explore questions about mortality, end-of-life planning, grief, and what it means to live fully in the face of our finite lives.
How I began
Kim and Lindsay met over 20 years ago, working as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses in Chicago. Their friendship grew over countless shifts together, as they witnessed the joy of miraculous births and the heartbreak of premature loss. Through their NICU work and their personal experiences with death, Walking Home Doulas grew from a deep understanding that embracing life’s final chapter allows people to live more fully right now, and they provide space and support to help families navigate both with intention.
Why families choose me
With our background in nursing, we are able to support clients as they navigate the healthcare system. We help clients understand their diagnosis, be fully informed of their options, and know what questions to ask. We are both certified death doulas through Going with Grace (Kim in November 2023, Lindsay in March 2024).
Ownership
Meet the team
Lindsay Lenhart
RN, Death Doula & Educator
The most gratifying part of this work for me is empowering people to embrace death with more openness and lean into conversations that might feel hard, but ultimately make them feel more alive.
Kim Ladd
RN, Death Doula & Educator
Becoming a death doula during my 25+ years as a registered nurse, witnessing births and deaths, allows me to bridge the space between healthcare and death care, creating supported and meaningful endings.
What they offer
Services
Services & pricing
Service
Price
$75
hourly
$300+
Each family situation is unique, and we tailor our support to meet specific needs. We offer a free 30-minute consultation, hourly support starting at $75 per hour, and packages starting at $300.
Common questions
Why should I talk about death if I'm not dying?
Because death is a part of life, and all of us will die someday. When we give ourselves permission to acknowledge our mortality, it gives us a clearer picture of what really matters. These conversations aren't just about preparing to die; they are about living more intentionally, authentically, and fully.
How is a death doula different from hospice?
Doula support and hospice are complementary services. Hospice provides multidisciplinary medical support to patients with 6 months or less to live. Death doulas provide additional time, presence, education, emotional & spiritual support to the dying person and their loved ones.
Where Walking Home Doulas travels
Travels to
Downtown / Central · North Side · Northwest Side · West Side · South Side / Near South · Southwest Side · Far South Side · Suburbs · South Holland
Virtual services
Available
Serves all of Chicago, plus these south suburbs: Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Blue Island, Burbank, Bridgeview, Alsip, Calumet Park, Merrionette Park, Chicago Ridge, Hickory Hills, Midlothian, Crestwood, Worth, Dolton, Riverdale, Burnham, Calumet City, Lansing, South Holland, Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Thornton, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Posen, Robbins, Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, Matteson, Country Club Hills, Park Forest, Chicago Heights, Richton Park, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Orland Hills, Oak Forest, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Steger, Sauk Village, Lynwood and University Park. In Northwest Indiana: Hammond, Whiting, East Chicago, Gary, Munster, Highland, Griffith, Hobart, Merrillville, Schererville, Dyer, St. John, Crown Point, Lake Station, Lowell, Cedar Lake, Portage, Ogden Dunes, Burns Harbor, Chesterton, Porter and Valparaiso. Online support is available nationwide.
Walking Home Doulas works across whole areas rather than from one address, so there is no location to show on a map.