We had the good fortune of connecting with Kacie Gikonyo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kacie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I knew I wanted to start something that didn’t exist. The world of death care is practically untapped and I know what gaps need to be filled. Not only did I want to provide a better type of end of life care, but I wanted to provide a better Death Doula training program than what already existed. So I began creating a more comprehensive curriculum that I knew would equip Death Doulas with all the tools they needed to succeed and I opened Death Doula School.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I launched my business as a Death Doula in 2022, after witnessing the heartbreaking impact of COVID-19 on the frontlines. During that time, I saw hundreds of people die in unimaginably tragic circumstances. I became intensely focused on doing everything I could to help people die with dignity—whether it was removing a glove to hold someone’s hand in their final moments or facilitating a last goodbye over FaceTime. My passion for deathcare became undeniable during the pandemic, leading me to answer the calling to leave nursing and become a death doula.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that while I was meant to work as a death doula, my true calling was to train and certify others in this vital role. I recognized that existing death doula training programs were not adequately preparing individuals to succeed in this field. This realization motivated me to open my own Death Doula School—a comprehensive training program designed to equip death doulas with all the tools they need to build a successful practice and guide souls through life’s final chapter.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We love farm to table and organic options when it comes to food and we love visiting the Lake Erie beaches.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My career as a nurse led me to where I am now. It gave me the opportunity to work hands on with many people who were at or nearing the end of life, which is where I discovered my passion for helping people close out their final chapter.

Website: https://www.deathdoulakacie.com

Instagram: Death Doula Kacie

Linkedin: Kacie Gikonyo

Facebook: Death Doula Kacie

Youtube: Death Doula Kacie

Other: Tik tok: Death Doula Kacie

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