Death Doula in Victoria, BC
As a death doula, I offer compassionate end-of-life and grief support to individuals and families navigating death, dying, and loss. Whether you are newly facing a diagnosis, supporting someone who is dying, experiencing anticipatory grief, preparing for end of life, or finding your way through life after a death, I am here to walk alongside you. With a steady, compassionate presence and practical support, I help create space for you to feel heard, supported, and less alone throughout the process. I offer in-person support and visits to long-term care homes in Victoria, BC, as well as virtual death doula and grief support across Canada.
Support for the moments in between
There is no one way to experience dying, end of life, or grief. Sometimes you need someone to help make sense of what is happening. Sometimes you need space to talk openly about the things that are difficult to say to family and friends. And sometimes you simply need someone beside you who can listen, help you think through what comes next, or make a difficult day feel a little less overwhelming.
My approach is grounded in thoughtful communication, deep listening, and a steady presence. My background in leading experience teams shaped the way I think about care: paying attention to what people need, creating a sense of trust and continuity, and meeting each person where they are. Our time together can look different for everyone, from ongoing support through a period of change to a single conversation when you need someone to sit with you in the uncertainty.
About Shannon Pintwala, Death Doula in Victoria, BC
I’m a mother of two, trained End-of-Life Doula, Director-At-Large with the BC Hospice and Palliative Care Association and a volunteer with BC Cancer.
I came to this work after my father died from a terminal illness. Being with him and my family during his final months changed the way I understood dying, caregiving, and grief. It also showed me how much people need support that extends beyond the healthcare system, someone who can sit with the uncertainty, listen without trying to fix things, and help make a difficult experience feel a little less lonely.
After a career in the corporate world, including leading customer experience teams, I chose to bring those skills of listening, communication, and thoughtful support into work that feels truly meaningful to me.
Today, I work alongside people and families navigating the many layers of grief, caregiving, dying, and loss. Sometimes that means supporting someone who feels overwhelmed by everything they are carrying. Sometimes it means being a safe place to talk when the people around you don’t quite understand. And sometimes it means helping families find their way through difficult conversations, different perspectives, and changing relationships.
My role is not to tell you how to navigate this experience. It is to be beside you as you find your way, with compassion, steadiness, and without judgment. We begin wherever you are, and our time together is shaped around what you need.
How I work
Every person, family, and experience of grief is unique. I offer personalized, non-medical support for people navigating grief, caregiving, dying, end of life, and loss. Whether you are looking for ongoing support or simply need someone to talk to during a difficult moment.
Sessions are guided by what you need and may include space to process what you’re experiencing, support through difficult conversations or family dynamics, practical guidance, or simply the comfort of having someone alongside you. I offer one-hour individual sessions, one-hour family sessions, and in-person visits for those who would benefit from support in their home or care setting.
I support individuals and families virtually across Canada, with in-person support available in Victoria, BC.
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Grief can be complicated, unpredictable, and deeply personal. I offer compassionate support before and after a death, creating space to talk openly about what you are experiencing without judgment or expectations about how you “should” grieve.
Our conversations may include the emotions of grief, changes in relationships, the impact of loss on everyday life, or simply having someone who understands how difficult this season can be. You do not need to know exactly what you need before reaching out. We can begin wherever you are.
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Caring for someone who is aging, seriously ill, or approaching the end of their life can be emotionally and practically overwhelming. You may be carrying responsibilities for everyone else while having very little space to process what is happening yourself.
I offer a place to pause, talk things through, and feel supported as you navigate caregiving, changing family roles, difficult emotions, and the uncertainty of what comes next.
This support can also be helpful when family members are experiencing the situation differently or struggling to communicate with one another. My role is not to take sides, but to create space for thoughtful conversation and help you find a way forward.
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Moving into long-term care can be a significant transition for both an individual and their family. I offer in-person visits to long-term care homes in Victoria, providing companionship and emotional support for people who may be experiencing loneliness, uncertainty, loss of independence, or the many changes that come with aging.
Visits can simply be a chance to talk, share memories, sit together, or have a familiar person return regularly. I can also provide support to family members as they navigate this transition alongside their loved one.
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There can be so much uncertainty when someone is dying. You may have questions, emotions, decisions, or conversations that feel difficult to navigate, and sometimes you simply need someone to sit alongside you in what is happening.
I offer compassionate, non-medical support throughout the dying and end-of-life experience. This can include emotional support, space to process anticipatory grief, help navigating difficult conversations, and practical guidance when it feels helpful.
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Making space for different perspectives
Death, dying, caregiving, and grief can bring complicated family dynamics to the surface. People may have different wishes, beliefs, expectations, or ways of coping, and those differences can be difficult to navigate at an already emotional time.
I provide a calm, neutral space for families to talk, listen, and better understand one another. I can help create space for conversations that may otherwise feel too difficult to have, while respecting that every family has its own relationships, history, and way of navigating loss.
How we can work together
Individual sessions — $150 / one hour
A private space to talk, reflect, and receive support.
Family sessions — $200 / one hour
A shared space for families to navigate difficult conversations, different perspectives, and the experience of grief or dying together.
In-person visits — $200 / one hour
Available throughout Greater Victoria, including visits to long-term care and other care settings.
Virtual support
Available to individuals and families across Canada.
Grief has no timeline. Whether you're mourning a recent loss or carrying pain from years past, I offer space to talk, feel, and simply be.
Serving greater Victoria, and all of North America virtually.
I offer in-person support in the Greater Victoria area. I also offer virtual sessions for individuals and families across Canada and the United States.
Whether we meet in person or online, I strive to create a grounded, supportive space for you.
Email
shannon@victoriadeathdoula.ca