We recently connected with Nancy Ramsay and have shared our conversation below.

Nancy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I was a fertility,birth, post-partum doula and midwife apprentice in another state. After my ectopic pregnancy ruptured and I had emergency surgery I became a Stillbirth doula. Understanding that pain that comes with knowing your child has died and having to give birth or remove them is incredibly lonely. I wanted to help others in every capacity of their birth journey from fertility and joy to the sometimes devastating.

When my father abruptly died in my home less than eight hours after he walked me down the aisle the grief that came with that was intense and I started thinking about death and how many families really aren’t prepared for it, which led me to becoming a death doula with all of my experience in Healthcare and Wellness, and my “day job” it just made sense to transition from birth to death to complete the full circle.

The trauma coaching came from years of my own personal trauma and working with the body of those with trauma, but when I lost our daughter to Stillbirth I realized how isolating the trauma from that can be, and knew I needed to help others with the trapped trauma like I had in my body.

The business name comes from what we say in my Faith when loved ones have reposed. Memory Eternal, may they and their soul not be forgotten.

Nancy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been a certified doula almost as long as I have been a massage therpast. I have been a certified stillbirth doula for almost 10 years. So why a “death doula” ? Well…as the Movie the Mummy put it so elegantly. “Death is only the beginning”… This year has given me the courage to pursue this training that has been calling me for sometime. I realized recently that a huge majority of my trainings, degree, life skills, work experience, and truthfully life has led me to this point to start taking steps to assist the dying and their families.
I will be opening my “doors” and arms to clients in their next chapter in life. Offering services ranging but not limited to – legacy planning, living funerals, estate organization, vigil planning, and ” natural funeral” options.

Along with these services for families and the one reposing, I offer massage, resources, classes and information, and can even help with downsizing and selling their home and/or relocation. ( SRES Broker, Notary- NC)
I feel at peace about this next chapter of my life and helping others along the way.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Patience and kindness With death there is a lot of waiting where claim and patience go hand in hand. It’s not my moment it is my clients and their family. I hold space for them.

Kindess…death is rough even when it’s everything you could want. Kindness to the one reposing and the families and loved ones for when the anger, pain, grief, etc bubbles up.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

In my entire self employment career even in different roles and fields, it has always been referrals that grew my business.

How do you get referrals? For me it is having integrity no matter what, and always giving the best to my clients I can. If I can’t , I refer them to where they need to be for the best care possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.memory-eternal.com
• Instagram: @memoryeternalhealing

Image Credits
Just me