Vetted End-of-Life Guides in California

Find trusted End-of-Life Guides in California. Each provider has been verified by Autumn and offers a free consultation.

A Life Well lived profile photo

A Life Well lived

Death Doula

Carlsbad, CA San Diego, CA Santa Ana, CA

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Kelly Mindes profile photo

Kelly Mindes

Death Doula

Los Angeles, CA Long Beach, CA Anaheim, CA

Legacy Work, LGBTQ Allied, Reiki, Rituals

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Abeja Rise profile photo

Abeja Rise

Death Doula

El Monte Greater California All 50 States (Virtually)

Aromatherapy, Art Therapy, Grief Specialist, Guided Imagery, Legacy Work, Rituals

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Life~Death~Breath profile photo

Life~Death~Breath

Death Doula

Mill Valley San Francisco Greater California

Breathwork, Grief Movement, Meditation, Reiki, Yoga Instructor, Rituals, LGBTQ Allied, Guided Imagery

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Robin Cohen profile photo

Robin Cohen

Death Doula

Sebastopol, CA San Francisco, CA Oakland, CA

Aromatherapy, Dementia Care, Grief Movement, Guided Imagery, Home Funerals, Legacy Work, LGBTQ Allied, Meditation, Yoga Instructor, Rituals, Breathwork

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Krista Peterson profile photo

Krista Peterson

Death Doula

Truckee, CA Sacramento, CA Stockton, CA

Breathwork, Guided Imagery, Legacy Work, LGBTQ Allied, Meditation, Rituals

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Amapola Death Doula profile photo

Amapola Death Doula

Death Doula

Los Angeles SoCal Greater California

Grief Specialist Legacy Work Rituals

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

The Death Circuit profile photo

The Death Circuit

Death Doula

Oakland San Francisco Greater California

Funeral Celebrant, Home Funerals, Legacy Work, Yoga Instructor, Grief Specialist

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Deirdre Doula profile photo

Deirdre Doula

Death Doula

Huntington Beach, CA Santa Ana, CA Anaheim, CA

Guided Imagery, Reiki, Rituals

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Peaceful Journeys with Jeannie profile photo

Peaceful Journeys with Jeannie

Death Doula

Grover Beach Santa Barbara Greater California

Funeral Celebrant Legacy Work Thanatologist

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Daniele Biancani, MS Ed profile photo

Daniele Biancani, MS Ed

Death Doula

Jamul San Diego Greater California

Home Funerals Legacy Work Massage Therapy

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

LjW Divine Sight profile photo

LjW Divine Sight

Death Doula

Pittsburg, CA Oakland, CA Stockton, CA

Chaplain, Funeral Celebrant, Guided Imagery, Legacy Work, Meditation, Ordained Minister, Reiki, Rituals, Aromatherapy, Art Therapy

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Comforting Closure profile photo

Comforting Closure

Death Doula

San Jose, CA Oakland, CA San Francisco, CA

Breathwork, Grief Specialist, Legacy Work, Meditation

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Shangri-La Transitions profile photo

Shangri-La Transitions

Death Doula

Oak View, CA Los Angeles, CA Bakersfield, CA

Breathwork, LGBTQ Allied, Meditation, Rituals, Art Therapy

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Spirited Crossings profile photo

Spirited Crossings

Death Doula

Aliso Viejo, CA Santa Ana, CA Anaheim, CA

Aromatherapy, Guided Imagery, Legacy Work, LGBTQ Allied, Meditation, Reiki, Dementia Care, Rituals

Offers free consultation

Verified by Autumn

Types of End-of-Life Guide Services in California

Advance directive and healthcare proxy guidance

Goals of care conversations and facilitation

Family preparation and education

End-of-life wishes documentation

Transition support for the dying and their families

Coordination with medical and hospice teams

Post-death guidance and bereavement support

Frequently Asked Questions about End-of-Life Guides

An end-of-life guide helps individuals and families prepare for death — facilitating conversations about values and wishes, documenting advance directives, educating families about the dying process, and providing support through the transition. They bridge the gap between medical care and emotional preparation.

There is significant overlap. Both provide non-medical support around death. End-of-life guides often focus more on planning, documentation, and family preparation, while death doulas may provide more hands-on vigil and bedside presence. Many professionals offer both.

Ideally before a crisis — when a terminal diagnosis is received or when an aging adult wants to document their wishes. Guides are also called in during the final weeks and days to support families who haven't had the chance to plan ahead.

An advance directive is a legal document that records a person's wishes for medical care if they become unable to communicate them — including preferences around resuscitation, life support, and end-of-life care. An end-of-life guide can help you understand your options and complete these documents correctly.

Fees vary by scope and provider. Some guides charge hourly, others offer packages for a defined period of support. Most listed on Autumn offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation and determine the right level of support.

Why Choose Autumn

Training and end-of-life planning experience verified for every guide

Find guides who specialize in facilitating difficult conversations before they become crises

Compare by experience with advance directives, family preparation, and hospice coordination

Both pre-death planning and active transition support specialists listed

Many offer free consultations to assess where you are in the planning process

Trusted by individuals and families preparing for end-of-life transitions

More After-Death Services in California

Browse additional After-Death Providers in California.

Account Recovery Services
Services that help families recover access to locked accounts, passwords, and digital assets.
After-Death Advisors
Concierge support to help you manage every step after the death of a loved one.
Appraisers
Professional appraisers for estate property, personal belongings, and asset valuation.
Bereavement Coaches
Certified coaches who guide individuals through the practical and emotional challenges of bereavement.
Cemeteries
Final resting places offering burial plots, mausoleums, and memorial services.
Ceremony Facilitators
Professionals who facilitate funerals, memorials, and rituals across traditions.
Digital Estate Specialists
Specialists who help manage, transfer, and close digital accounts and online assets after a death.
Downsizing Specialists
Professionals who help families sort, organize, and downsize a loved one's belongings.
Estate Attorneys
Attorneys specializing in estate planning, trusts, and administration.
Estate Cleanout Services
Professional services for clearing and cleaning out a loved one's home.
Estate CPAs
Certified Public Accountants specializing in estate and trust tax preparation.
Estate Sale Consultants
Professional estate sale services, liquidation, and consignment.
Financial Planners
Financial advisors specializing in inheritance planning and post-loss financial transitions.
Funeral Celebrants
Trained professionals who create and lead personalized funeral and memorial ceremonies.
Funeral Homes
Full-service funeral establishments providing burial and cremation services.
Grief Counselors
Licensed mental health professionals specializing in grief and bereavement support.
Grief Support Groups
Peer-led and facilitated grief support groups providing community and connection.
Grief Therapists
Licensed mental health therapists specializing in grief and loss therapy.
Headstone Providers
Memorial headstone, monument, and grave marker providers.
Home Funeral Guides
Professionals who guide families through caring for their loved one at home after death.
Insurance Claim Specialists
Specialists who help navigate life insurance claims, benefits, and policy settlements.
Memorial Planners
Specialists who plan and coordinate memorial services, celebrations of life, and remembrance events.
Move Managers
Professionals specializing in estate and household relocations after a loss.
Probate Attorneys
Attorneys specializing in probate court proceedings and estate administration.
Record Organization Services
Professionals who help organize, catalog, and manage important documents and records after a death.
Tax Advisors
Tax professionals who help with inheritance tax, estate tax, and post-loss financial planning.
Trust Attorneys
Attorneys specializing in trust creation, administration, and disputes.

Find End-of-Life Guides in other cities in California

AnaheimBakersfieldChula VistaElk GroveFontanaFremontFresnoGarden GroveGlendaleHuntington BeachIrvineLong BeachLos AngelesModestoMoreno ValleyOaklandOceansideOntarioOxnardRancho CucamongaRiversideSacramentoSan BernardinoSan DiegoSan FranciscoSan JoseSanta AnaSanta ClaritaSanta RosaStockton