News and outreach
Let's Talk Caregiving
Join Roberto and Martha as they chat with Melissa McClave, a death doula who advocates for having conversations around dying that lead to a better understanding of death.
June 2024 Podcast
In this month’s episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Melissa McClave, a death doula who advocates for the most loving end of life experience possible for the dying and their loved ones.
Normalizing conversations about dying and death while everyone is healthy enough to express their wishes is at the core to having to having the death you envision.
Listen to their discussion about how to talk about death and dying with your loved ones, sharing your personal wishes, and navigating the emotions of end of life
S.H.E. SHARE HEAL EMPOWER: COLLECTED JOURNEYS (VOLUME 3)
You can read my chapter (Chapter 2) in author, Shannon Hogan Cohen’s latest book highlighting the contributions of women from the around the world.
June 2025 Book Chapter
The success of author, Shannon Hogan Cohen’s the first two volumes of the “S.H.E. Share Heal Empower: Collected Journeys” series has given rise to a third installment of twenty chapters hi-lighting the contributions of women from around the world.
I’m honored to be included in the third volume. I’m in the company of women who overcome challenges with grace and courage.
You can read my chapter (Chapter 2) along with DeeDee’s for free here!
SDVoyager Interview March 2024
Thank you SDVoyager for giving me the opportunity to share how my work as a Death Doula allows me to be of service to the community of San Diego and beyond.
March 2024 Magazine Article
I’m thrilled to be featured in SDVoyager where I get the opportunity to share my journey into death care and how I practice as a death doula.
You can read my article here!
SDVoyager Interview March 2024
Thank you SDVoyager for giving me the opportunity to share how my work as a Death Doula allows me to be of service to the community of San Diego and beyond.
Embrace Death Workshops About Dying
Starting conversations around dying and death is simple, not easy. Very few people are comfortable talking with their loved ones about death when there is no need for urgency. Having an Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD) on hand gives your loved ones some direction when you can’t tell them yourself.
The BEST time to start the discussion over such complex issues, such as what kind of treatments you want and where you prefer to spend your last breath, is before your mortality confronts you with making hard decisions. It’s also important to ask yourself and your loved ones who is the best choice to advocate for your wishes when you can’t advocate for yourself.
Compassion and Choices compassionandchoices.org has FREE tools to help you navigate and record your options with your loved ones. As a Death Doula, I use their resources to help my clients get familiar with the myriad of options they have and may not have considered.
Everyone over the age of 18 can partake in filling out their very own Advance Health Directive https://www.compassionandchoices.org/resource/eoldgt as many times as they like. Having a baseline of your loved one’s wants and needs when they can’t make those choices for themselves is one of the last acts of love you can share.
Contact me to organize an “Embrace Death: A Workshop About Dying” event where we start the conversation that brings us closer to each other in a safe, comfortable, loving environment.
My First Podcast Interview
Don’t let the podcast’s original name dissuade you from listening. Though the venue (tablerush.simplecast.com) may not be conducive to the content, the message is pure, and the delivery is authentic. We discuss everything from pre-planning to legacy and even get into host Mischa Zvegintzov’s experience with dying, death, and what’s essential when saying goodbye to those we love.
Contact ME HERE
In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with Melissa, a death doula and advocate for the most loving end of life experience possible for the dying and their loved ones. She recognizes the importance of communicating end of life wishes to caregivers.
Listen to their discussion about how to talk about death and dying with your loved ones, sharing your personal wishes, and navigating the emotions of end of life.
Click on the title or the picture to learn how to support your loved ones when death is near.
