About Heartwood
The Meaning of Heartwood
The heartwood of a tree provides strength and support. A death doula gives personalized nonmedical support to people facing severe illness as well as their loved ones. Heartwood Death Doula and Bereavement Care is a one-on-one service to help you make the most of your time with the people you love.
Who I Am
Holly Lux-Sullivan is an experienced hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor. An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, she is a board-certified chaplain and also holds certifications as a death doula, spiritual director, and integrative chaplain. She has extensive training in dementia and advanced illness care as well as years of experience at the bedside.
For almost 20 years, she has cared for people as they neared life’s end, helping them deal with the losses they face: independence, health, the future itself. Her warmth, compassion, and ability to connect with others make her a trusted advisor in times of crisis.
Holly meets you on your terms – she’s here to listen to what you believe, educate you in navigating complex medical situations, and support your decisions. Her role as a death doula is to see you through the changes you and your loved ones face and to help you make the most of your time together.
You will find Holly to be honest but gentle, someone with enough knowledge and experience to help answer your questions and wise enough to know when to say, “I don’t know, but here’s who to ask.” She’ll be an advocate in your corner as you deal with your diagnosis and its emotional ramifications. You’ll have Holly’s listening ear and knowledgeable advice – when you want it. She will feel like a friend who knows all about illness and dying and she’ll be honest about what lies ahead.
You may be supporting your loved ones as they navigate physical decline and the possibility of moving out of their home. Holly will help you sort through options and consider what’s best for you and the people you care about. She will provide whole-family support and help you discover your own strength, whether you’re the person facing mortality or their loved one.
As a longtime ally of the queer community, Holly has volunteered nationally with the Trevor Project and locally with Triad Health Project. She also initiated her former company's annual participation in Alamance Pride. Holly will use your preferred pronouns and treat your partner(s) and family members, chosen or otherwise, with care and respect.
