Here you will find information on End-of-Life Care Support, Caregiving Services, Death Doula, Funeral Planning and Organizing, Funeral Celebration Ceremony, Ocean Burial Scatter service, and Full Body Water Burials. Details are in descriptions along with a general price list. Please contact Melanie Aguirre for assistance.
Death Doula Service: End-of-Life Support with Compassion and Expertise
Service by Melanie Aguirre
As a Death Doula, I provide compassionate, non-medical support for individuals and their families during the end-of-life journey. My services are designed to offer comfort, guidance, and a holistic approach to dying, helping families navigate both emotional and practical aspects of the dying process. In addition to my role as a Death Doula, I also bring my experience as a Former Medical Assistant, offering physical caregiving support.
Services Offered:
- Emotional and Spiritual Support:
I offer compassionate listening, grief counseling, and help with end-of-life planning, ensuring that the transition is as peaceful as possible. I work with the person who is passing to address their fears, provide comfort, and help them connect spiritually, if desired. I respect every one’s personal beliefs and wishes. - Caregiving and Personal Support:
As a Former Medical Assistant, I bring medical knowledge that supports basic caregiving needs. This can be particularly helpful for families who need assistance with personal care while maintaining the dignity and comfort of their loved one. - End-of-Life Planning and Advocacy:
I help guide individuals and families in preparing for the end-of-life process, including advance directives, living wills, and decisions related to funeral planning, memorial services, and legacy creation. I also serve as an advocate, ensuring that wishes are respected and that communication between medical providers and family members is clear. - 24/7 On-Call Care:
Providing around-the-clock support during the final days, I ensure that families are never alone in the process, offering emotional and practical assistance whenever needed. This includes offering respite care for family members, so they can take necessary breaks while feeling assured that their loved one is in good hands. - Holistic Aftercare:
Following the passing, I offer continued support to the family through grief counseling, memorial planning, and helping manage the emotional and physical aftermath of the death. I can also assist in connecting the family with additional resources, such as bereavement groups or counselors.
Service Pricing:
- Basic End-of-Life Support
- Price: $500–$1,000
- Includes: Initial consultation, emotional and spiritual support, guidance with advance directives, and planning of end-of-life care.
- Duration: Flexible, based on client needs.
- Comprehensive Caregiving
- Price: $1,500–$3,000
- Includes: Emotional and spiritual support, non-medical caregiving, advocacy, and assistance.
- Duration: Available for short-term or long-term care (1–3 weeks).
- 24/7 On-Call End-of-Life Care
- Price: $3,000–$6,000
- Includes: Full-time availability for continuous support, including caregiving, spiritual counseling, and family respite care.
- Duration: 7–10 days, with flexibility based on the specific needs of the client.
- Grief and Aftercare Support
- Price: $250 per session
- Includes: One-on-one grief counseling, memorial planning assistance, and connection to additional resources if needed. I also provide healing service that would allow you to connect with a loved one after their passing. This can be done through Hypnosis regression or a Trance Channel session as a separate service.
- Duration: Ongoing, available for as long as needed after the passing.
Why Choose My Death Doula Services?
- Experienced and Compassionate Care: With years of experience as a Medical Assistant and Caregiver, I understand both the emotional and physical aspects of dying, providing a safe and nurturing environment for both the person passing and their loved ones.
- Holistic Approach: I offer a balanced approach to end-of-life care, providing emotional, spiritual, and practical support that honors the wishes of the individual and their family.
- Customized Support: I work closely with each family to create a plan that meets their specific needs, whether it involves comforting the dying, offering practical caregiving assistance, or helping manage funeral plans.
- Available Around the Clock: I provide 24/7 on-call care, ensuring families have the support they need during one of life’s most challenging times.
Hourly On-Call Support
- Price: $50–$100 per hour. This may apply when families need flexible or short-term care. This rate typically includes emotional support, basic caregiving assistance, and guidance on end-of-life planning. Hourly services can be offered on a flexible schedule depending on the family’s needs.
Night-time Only Support
- Price: $100–$250 per night. Some families may only need nighttime support, including comfort measures and reassurance, which typically costs less than full 24/7 care.
Contact Me:
If you or your loved one is in need of end-of-life care, please contact me for a consultation. I am here to offer the support, compassion, and expertise needed to navigate this deeply personal time.
Compassionate Funeral Celebrant Services
Service by Melanie Aguirre
Honoring Lives, Creating Lasting Memories
As a dedicated funeral celebrant, I offer personalized and heartfelt services to honor your loved one’s life in a way that feels truly meaningful. My goal is to create a supportive, compassionate space for family and friends to celebrate, remember, and find comfort. Based in Long Beach and serving Southern California, I am here to help you design a ceremony that reflects the unique essence and legacy of your loved one.
What I Offer
- Personalized Ceremonies
Every individual’s life is a story, and my approach ensures that the ceremony reflects who they were, their values, and the impact they had on others. I work closely with you to incorporate special elements—whether it’s stories, favorite songs, or meaningful readings—to create a service as unique as your loved one. - Flexible, Non-Denominational Services
My ceremonies can be non-religious, spiritual, or semi-religious, depending on your family’s wishes and the beliefs of the deceased. I honor all cultural, spiritual, and personal backgrounds and can integrate traditional or custom rituals. - Inclusive Planning Sessions
I believe in guiding families with compassion and care through every step of planning. We’ll meet for a planning session where I’ll listen to your stories, gather details, and offer options to create a ceremony that feels right for you and your family. I’m here to offer comfort, support, and creative ideas to make this process as easy as possible. - Assistance with Eulogies and Tributes
Crafting a eulogy or tribute can be a powerful way to honor your loved one, yet it can feel overwhelming. I can assist you in shaping a tribute that reflects their spirit, offering writing support and helping others feel comfortable in sharing memories. - On-Site Coordination
On the day of the ceremony, I handle all coordination to ensure everything flows smoothly and beautifully. I am there to guide, assist, and support every aspect of the service, allowing you to focus on celebrating your loved one’s memory and being present with family.
Locations and Venues
I am available to perform services at a variety of locations throughout Long Beach and Southern California, including funeral homes, private homes, outdoor settings, and other meaningful places to you and your family.
Contact Me
If you’re in need of a compassionate celebrant to help honor your loved one, please reach out. I am here to provide comfort, support, and a ceremony that is both memorable and healing.
Funeral Celebrant Service Price List
1. Standard Funeral or Memorial Service
- Description: A fully customized, one-hour ceremony to honor the life of your loved one. Includes a pre-service consultation, planning, and coordination of the ceremony.
- Price: $500
2. Comprehensive Service with Tribute Writing Assistance
- Description: Includes the standard service along with eulogy or tribute writing support, which allows for more personalization and guidance for family members who may wish to speak.
- Price: $700
3. Celebration of Life Service
- Description: For gatherings that celebrate a loved one’s life with unique elements, such as storytelling or special readings. This package is ideal for less traditional settings or informal gatherings, including outdoor venues.
- Price: $550
4. Graveside or Committal Service
- Description: A graveside or committal service that includes a personalized message, a brief reading, and comforting words for family and friends.
- Price: $350
5. Extended Tribute Package
- Description: Comprehensive support with multiple planning sessions, extensive tribute crafting, full ceremony coordination, and on-site management. Ideal for large gatherings or unique, highly personalized services. This includes up to three meetings.
- Price: $850
6. Travel Fees
- Description: Travel within a 30-mile radius of Long Beach is included. For locations beyond this, additional mileage fees apply.
- Price: $1 per mile
Ocean Burial Services in Southern California
Service by Melanie Aguirre
Description:
Our Ocean Burial Service offers a serene, respectful, and eco-friendly way to honor your loved one. Whether you are opting for a cremation ash scattering or a full-body burial at sea, we ensure a peaceful and memorable farewell, set against the breathtaking beauty of the California coastline.
What’s Involved:
- Cremation Ash Scattering: The cremated remains will be scattered in federal waters, at least 3 miles offshore. Family members can participate in the ceremony, scattering ashes and leaving flowers, while enjoying the journey on the boat.
- Full-Body Burial: This involves a biodegradable shroud or a specialized casket, depending on your preference. The body will be lowered into the ocean at a depth of 600 to 2,000 feet, in compliance with federal regulations. The service includes all necessary permits and preparation, including vessel coordination, as well as the deployment of flowers.
Details:
- Location: Services are available from various Southern California ports including Long Beach, San Pedro, and Marina del Rey.
- Boat: The boat charter will be provided by a licensed, US Coast Guard-approved vessel with a professional crew. The family may participate in the ceremony or be provided with an intimate, guided experience.
- Time: Expect the journey to take around 2-4 hours, depending on the location. The ceremony itself lasts about 30 minutes at sea. This time is flexible.
- Legal Compliance: We handle all necessary permits, including the federal burial permits required for full-body sea burials. We coordinate with the boat charter company to ensure all logistics and legal requirements are met.
Service Options:
- Ash Scattering at Sea
- Price: $3,000–$5,000
- Includes: Boat rental, crew, ceremony coordination, and scattering of ashes in federal waters.
- Optional Add-Ons: Flowers, celebrant services, memory video recording.
- Full-Body Sea Burial
- Price: $6,000–$12,000
- Includes: Full-body burial, biodegradable shroud or casket, boat charter, crew, all permits, and ceremony coordination.
- Optional Add-Ons: Celebrant services, memorial certificates with burial coordinates, flowers, and video recordings.
- Customized Memorial Packages
- Price: Varies
- Includes: Any additional requests such as a memorial plaque, custom ceremony arrangements, family participation, or post-service memorial gatherings.
How It Works:
- Consultation: We begin by discussing your wishes and explaining the process. We’ll help you choose between cremation ash scattering or a full-body burial and coordinate every detail for you.
- Permits and Coordination: We secure all necessary legal permits and work with a licensed charter company to arrange the boat and captain.
- The Ceremony: On the day of the service, the boat will take you to the designated burial site. You will be able to participate in the ceremony and say goodbye in a peaceful, personal way.
We strive to make this journey as comforting as possible, offering a dignified final resting place for your loved one. If you are interested in learning more or wish to arrange a consultation, please reach out to us for further details and to get started.