What is a Vigil Plan?

If you have spoken to an End-of-Life Doula, the subject of creating a “vigil plan” may have come up. I want to explain exactly what the term ‘vigil” in this context is and what a vigil plan might look like.

Many people who are dying of natural causes or disease will experience a period of time where they are “actively dying”. This refers to the time when the person’s body begins to shut down and they have begun the process of transitioning to death. It is not uncommon for this to last for many hours, several days, and in some cases even longer. During this time the person is often in and out of consciousness or unresponsive. It is during this time we can help you and your family hold a vigil.

One of the things a death Doula can assist their client with is to create a vigil plan for how you want these last days and hours to play out. The intention is to set a plan so that this sacred time is as personalized to your wishes as possible. Many elements of a vigil plan will include things that are personal to the person such as where in the home (if that option is available) they would like to be – ex: bedroom, Livingroom etc. Other elements address things such as fragrances, music, visitors, personal items they want around. How they want to be cared for or touched spoken to etc.

Some things you might want to address in a vigil plan are:

Fragrances preferences: flowers; candles; incense, etc.

Light: windows open: overhead lights; muted lighting; darkness

Visitors: how many; how often: do you ever want to be alone?; are there certain people you want (or don’t want) at your bedside; Pets.

Sound: Nature sounds (birds, rain, ocean: music (what type); books read to you: poetry: religious texts; story telling; TV; . live music; phones; guided meditations etc

Touch: Hand holding; Massage ( where); cleaning of body; mouth moisture preferences; hair brushing,,

Personal items: photos; particular clothes or bedding; socks; crystals or stones,

After death rituals: body anointment or washing,; prayers; cultural rituals such as opening windows or covering mirrors; cocktail toast; lighting or blowing out candles.

The possibilities are endless and can be anything that is important to you. Creating a vigil plan with your Doula may give you some comfort in knowing that you will be taken care of in the manner you wish as you transition into the next world.