I believe life is wonderful
- Arch Campbell
sarah campbell-simpson
About me
I have many life experiences that have drawn me to working in this space. The death of my father, friends and other family members has given me inspiration to help other people who want to be empowered to make their own choices around their end of life journey.
I come from a loving family and when my father Arch died in 2004, our whole family had a profound experience. I want to help others by assisting in facilitating their preferred wishes and being a support where I can. This can be at an expected end of life journey or in the event of a sudden death.
I understand it can be an incredibly overwhelming and complex time- my goal is to accompany my clients to navigate the journey and offer a steady and continuous hand enabling my clients to have capacity, control and choice. I believe knowledge is empowerment and I am passionate about enlightening my clients about the myriad of options available to them. Whether it’s exploring treatment choices, understanding palliative care, or making informed decisions about end of life, vigil, death, after body care and funeral or ceremony options. If I don’t know, I will do my best to find out.
But at the heart of everything I do lies love, care, and support. Having personally witnessed how these core things can profoundly impact our end-of-life experiences, I am committed to facilitating the same for my clients and their loved ones.
Having previously led our family manufacturing business, I bring a strong set of process, organisational, and management skills that compliment my compassion and client-centred approach.
I am honoured to be a Committee member and Professional member of ELDAA (End of Life Doula Alliance Aotearoa) . I have completed Preparing the Way End of Life Doula Skill Set, Intensive and Foundation training, the Zenith Virago Deathwalker Training & Consultation and Celebrancy training. Additionally, I have completed the Palliative Care NZ Fundamentals Course, Advance Care Planning Course, Assisted Dying Course and Intro to the Science & Practise of Resilient Grieving certification and Funeral Celebrancy training. My commitment extends beyond education; I am also a volunteer at Nurse Maude Care Home, Hospice and NODA Christchurch.
My continuing education provides a huge source of inspiration for me and I’m constantly learning, on a quest to find out different and beneficial ways to support my clients and their chosen whānau along the continuum of the journey. I want to help others to be able to have a peaceful and ‘conscious’ end of life journey until their last breath is drawn, and to facilitate in making their quality of life and experiences the best and most meaningful they can be during this time.
Sarah was very respectful of my daughter’s grief, did not try to take over, merely stood there and allowed my daughter to grieve, and simply asked the questions my daughter needed to get through each day.
Sarah was kind, patient and very helpful in respect of how to navigate through the processes of dealing with the Funeral Director as well as the Coroner…
… Sarah was in touch with my daughter every day, and touched base with any new information she thought might be beneficial. My daughter was very thankful to have Sarah navigate this process with her, and as a Mother, I was so very grateful to have somebody to step in until I could get over there myself.
I can heartily recommend Sarah to anyone dealing with grief, death or any other loss – she was instrumental in helping my daughter stay afloat in the sea of grief and loss. It was amazing to meet her in person, she is an absolute treasure and an asset in difficult times. As a family, it is so important to be allowed to grieve, and make decisions and choices which totally honour your loved one. Sarah totally enabled this for our family, and I am eternally grateful.
- Jo
Sarah has the unique ability to hold the space, by listening deeply, totally getting and feeling where I am at. I was as impressed by the depth of professionalism, Sarah's respectful and empathic language. Sarah helped in such a way that gently described an overview of a situation – which helped me to see more clearly what my needs are and so I felt empowered to advocate for myself. Having Sarah by my side is like being given a trusted ally – I trust Sarah implicitly on all levels, professionally and personally. I would wholeheartedly recommend & encourage you to meet with Sarah.
- Cora
My hope is that the language of death and dying feels as natural as taking a breath. We talk about sickness and grief, but we don't really talk about dying. It's a lonely place to be in when those closest to you don't possess the understanding of how to navigate the landscape of the dying.
Sarah's work is profoundly important. She understands the need / urgency to put plans in place and assists you to piece together the must-haves and the nice-to-haves as you prepare for the inevitable.
People don't plan for a baby in the eleventh hour, why should death be any different?
The role is part admin, part advocate, part therapist, and all with an overarching embodiment of care. Finding both radical acceptance and grace. Creating ritual and reverence. It doesn't have to be ‘alternative’ or ‘religious’, more like the most precious gift of service and respect.
-Rachel
Sarah was my support, advocate and empowered me when my Mum became unconscious after a long illness and died 2 weeks later. From the first phone call Sarah shared resources with me around coffin choices, crematorium and how to do a DIY approach following my Mum's death. Sarah gave me a clear explanation of what a death doula does. Talked me through the paperwork that is required as we were initially going to take Mum back to our family home.
During the two weeks Sarah regularly checked in with me and it felt like she was walking beside me, encouraging and empowering me around my decision making to support my Mother to have a pain free death.
Sarah showed a genuine interest in my mother wanting to know things about her life she was so encouraging and supportive of me, checking in that I was getting breaks away from Mum's bedside and getting some sleep.
Sarah was affirming of my care for my Mum and I felt so reassured by her communication and her genuine aroha for me and my Mum.
Thanks so much Sarah it was so lovely to have your support during this final journey with with my Mum
- Suzy
Sarah supported my niece through a traumatic experience with a kind and gentle approach that enabled her to make choices that would truly reflect the amazing dad he was.
Sarah’s knowledge of the death care industry was critical in providing my niece with the legal options but also providing heartfelt and personal support all the while ensuring, responsible, safe and legal decisions were made.
Sarah’s presence was the soothing balm that enabled my niece to keep moving forward. She shared “it was like having you next to me Aunty K”.
- Karen
My Approach
There is some strange intimacy between grief and aliveness, some sacred exchange between what seems unbearable and what is most exquisitely alive.
Francis Weller, The Wild Edge of Sorrow.
advocacy
I provide emotional, spiritual and practical assistance to create a space of comfort and peace during life’s final chapters.
I do this through practical, personalised care and support before, during and after death and assistance with arranging funerals, ceremonies and memorials that reflect what is important to you.
EMPOWERMENT
Empowerment is central to what I do. I actively listen to my clients, help them to make informed decisions and advocate for their wishes whilst respecting personal space and privacy. Supporting my clients to have capacity, choice, and control over the aspects they can influence is the key. Empowerment can also bring back the ability to engage in activities that bring pleasure and where possible, a level of independence.
Choice, Capacity, Control
My vision is that my clients can find some comfort and peace knowing that their affairs are in order, and that they, and their chosen whānau, are well supported and cared for, and their preferred wishes are guiding decision making and care. I approach this sacred journey with transparency, compassion, guidance and companionship.