From Emergency Room Nurse to End of Life Guide; My NDE inspired me to become a Death Doula.

I've dedicated my entire adult life to caring for others. I started out as an EMT when I was 18 years old and later went to college and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked in the ER as an emergency nurse. 

In 2013, I found myself hospitalized for over three months, most of it in the ICU, on a ventilator. I endured a series of daunting health challenges, including a blood clot in my lung, sepsis, kidney failure, and multiple abdominal surgeries resulting from a medical error - all culminating in a near-death experience (NDE).
 

Even though I was surrounded by friends and family, I was terrified and felt alone. My husband, an EMT himself, was completely overwhelmed and felt helpless.  We were young and had not yet completed any advance care planning. He was forced to be in a position to make medical decisions for me.
 

After ten months at home managing an ileostomy and a large open wound, I underwent a complete abdominal wall reconstruction in April, 2014. 
 

This profound journey taught me the art of surrender and filled me with an immense sense of compassion, for those that are facing a health crisis or end-of-life. I was no longer afraid of death. I emerged from this experience with a mission to support others in embracing death as a natural part of life and to create a space where it’s okay to talk openly about it.

I now work to educate others about their choices and options so that they can have a peaceful, personalized death experience. I've learned that by discussing death, we can lessen its fear and by planning, we can avoid unexpected outcomes.

I believe like birth, death can be a journey we navigate with love and courage, and I’m here to help guide others through this incredible transition.

I offer End-of-Life Guidance and Pre-Planning, Bedside Vigil Planning & Holding and Peer Grief Support both virtually and in-person, either in my Albuquerque office or in your home. 

Danielle Slupesky
(925) 766-6878 DeathDoulaDanielle.com

Brooke’s journey into the world of end-of-life care began in 2015 when her father died from Lewy Body dementia. During that time, she and her husband were busy running a niche construction company, a demanding and rewarding venture. However, the experience of caring for her father planted the seed for something deeper within her.
Though her path to becoming a death doula would not unfold until eight years later, the emotional impact of that experience remained with her, shaping her understanding of the profound importance of compassionate end-of-life support.
In 2023, when Brooke and her husband sold their construction company, she was given the rare opportunity to step back, take a sabbatical, and reflect on her next career chapter. It became clear that her life’s work was to be with families and individuals during some of their most vulnerable moments.
Understanding that death is not just a medical event, Brooke believes wholeheartedly that having a compassionate, guiding presence during the final journey is invaluable. It’s this deep conviction that now drives her work as a death doula, helping others navigate the end-of-life process with dignity, peace, and unwavering support.
As a death doula, Brooke offers a range of services tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families facing the end of life. Her support includes financial and advance care planning, bedside companionship, legacy projects, peer grief support, non-religious memorial/funeral officiant, MAID/VSED, and general guidance for loved ones navigating this transition. Whether providing emotional support, practical resources, or simply holding space, Brooke is committed to ensuring that no one faces the end of life alone.

Brooke Nutting
Death Doula Professionals
1724 Moon St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
505-263-7797
Brooke@DeathDoulaProfessionals.com
DeathDoulaProfessionals.com
Facebook & Instagram @DeathDoulaProfessionals

Sundara Heart, an INELDA-trained End of Life Worker in Santa Fe, New Mexico, blends compassion, creativity, and cultural insight into her death doula practice. With expertise in Yoga Therapy, Reiki, Fine Arts, and global death rituals, she offers personalized, holistic support honoring each journey. Sundara crafts unique legacy projects—like life story recordings and keepsakes—while providing emotional, spiritual, and practical guidance. She facilitates family discussions and uses Reiki’s calming energy to ensure dignity and peace in final days. Her artistic spirit and curiosity about healing and the quantum world bring rare depth to every end-of-life experience. For meaningful, tailored support, contact Sundara Heart at https://journeyingon.com/ or 575.425.0347.