About Sarah

End of Life Doula
Founder of Sanctuary NZ | Co-Chair, ELDAA

My journey into end of life care began with the experience of losing my father, Arch, in 2004.

We were a loving family, and caring for Dad through the end of his life was a profoundly meaningful and life-changing experience. It shaped my desire to support other people and whānau through what can be an incredibly complex and overwhelming time, helping them feel informed, supported and empowered to make their own choices.

Since then, the deaths of friends and other family members have continued to shape my understanding of how deeply personal our experiences of dying, death and grief can be.

I believe people deserve to have choice, voice and connection at the end of life. Knowledge can be empowering, and I am passionate about helping people understand their options, prepare for what lies ahead and make decisions that reflect what matters most to them.

As an End of Life Doula, I provide practical, emotional and compassionate support before, during and after death. This might include helping someone prepare for conversations with their healthcare team, navigating the practicalities of end-of-life care, supporting whānau, being present at the bedside, or helping families understand their options for after-death care, funerals and meaningful farewells.

“I believe that life is wonderful”
— Arch Campbell

My approach is grounded in aroha, care, connection and respect for individual choice. I don't tell people what they should do. I walk alongside them, providing time, information, practical support and a calm presence when they need it.

Before becoming an End of Life Doula, I led our family manufacturing business, developing strong organisational, management and communication skills. These continue to be an important part of how I work, alongside my passion for compassionate, person-centred care.

I am Co-Chair of the End of Life Doula Alliance Aotearoa (ELDAA) and a Professional Member. I have completed Preparing the Way End of Life Doula Skill Set and Intensive Training, Zenith Virago Deathwalker Training and other professional development in end-of-life care.

I also contribute to professional and community conversations about dying and end-of-life care, including education and presentations for health professionals and community organisations. I value working collaboratively alongside existing healthcare and palliative care, recognising that End of Life Doulas provide a complementary, non-clinical layer of support.

I volunteer with Nurse Maude Hospice as part of their Spiritual Care Team and NODA Christchurch, and feel privileged to be part of a wider community working to improve the experience of dying, death and bereavement in Aotearoa.

Contact me

You don't have to navigate this alone.

If you or someone you love is facing the end of life, please feel welcome to get in touch.

I'm happy to have a no-obligation conversation about what you're experiencing and whether Sanctuary might be able to support you.

kind words

  • Cora ~

    “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.”

  • Rachael ~

    “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.”

  • Suzy ~

    “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”

  • Karen ~

    “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”.”

  • Mary & Anton ~

    “We couldn’t have done it without you. You were everything I had wanted and needed, before, during and after mum’s passing

    We’d like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your efforts

    -Thank you so much”

  • Jo ~

    “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.”

  • J ~

    “Sarah, the way you guided and supported mum in her journey for the last 14months is something we will never forget. Your visits were something mum looked forward to and always brightened her day. The legacy work you did on our birth stories and her family history will be something we can treasure forever.

    Your compassion and kindness over the past week and a half, along with practical and emotional support helped not only mum but also us prepare for her final days.
    We will be forever grateful to have crossed paths with you. Thank you”

Doula in the media

RNZ - What do end-of-life doulas do?

Article published by Radio NZ

Article published by The Press

Article published by Stuff

Dying Matters: NZ’s Palliative Care Services Are Worsening – Could Funding ‘End of Life Doulas’ Greatly Improve Care for Kiwis?

Opinion Editorial published in Capsule

Opinion Editorial published in ehospice

My Approach

“We are all just walking each other home”‍

Ram Dass

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 journey with transparency, respect, compassion, guidance and companionship.