My Story

Biography

Janet O’Dell is a distinguished leader and compassionate End of Life Practitioner, renowned for founding Dynamic Journey, an organization devoted to offering support and guidance to individuals and families during the critical phases of life and death. She is also a co-creator of Comox Valley Community Deathcare, a forward-thinking initiative dedicated to advancing local, sustainable practices in death care. With deep insights into the emotional, spiritual, and pragmatic dimensions of the end-of-life experience, Janet has established herself as a trusted advocate for those traversing this profound journey.

Raised in Powell River, BC, Janet’s commitment to helping others was evident early on; she began working at the age of eight in a dental office, which laid the foundation for her future healthcare endeavors. In 2000, she moved to Victoria, and subsequently to Comox, where she initiated her career in dentistry after graduating as a Certified Dental Assistant in 2005. Following a transformative accident that led to her retirement from the dental profession, Janet redirected her focus toward end-of-life care, becoming a trained End of Life Practitioner and funeral celebrant.

Janet’s passion for addressing end-of-life issues was catalyzed by personal experiences that drove her to pursue advanced training and certifications in grief counseling, as well as in addressing complex trauma and PTSD. This journey culminated in the establishment of Dynamic Journey, where she seeks to redefine societal perceptions and practices surrounding death. She emphasizes the necessity of compassion, clarity, and non judgmental communal support, ensuring that individuals facing the end of life receive the care and dignity they deserve.

As an educator, Janet serves as the instructor for the 20-hour End of Life Doula 101 course offered at the Comox Community Recreation Centre, further extending her influence by equipping aspiring doulas with essential knowledge and skills to support individuals and families during the end-of-life process.

As a devoted mother, Janet infuses her nurturing spirit into both her familial and professional spheres. She advocates for the importance of candid conversations about life and death, prompting families to engage in discussions about their values, wishes, and fears. Her holistic approach integrates educational components designed to empower families, enabling them to make informed decisions and fostering resilience and understanding.

Beyond her leadership roles at Dynamic Journey and Comox Valley Community Deathcare, Janet is actively engaged in community outreach, advocating for heightened awareness of end-of-life issues. She regularly conducts workshops and seminars that furnish individuals with tools and resources to confront mortality with grace and acceptance.

Janet O’Dell’s unwavering dedication to her vocation and her community has positioned her as a respected figure in the field of end-of-life care. Her compassionate methodology and commitment to education continue to have a profound impact, guiding individuals and families as they navigate their journeys with profound love, understanding, and dignity.

B.C. death doula’s mission is to transform how we think and talk about death

‘ There is such a thing as a good death – if you plan for it ’

• TERRY FARRELL written on Nov. 12, 2021 5:30 a.m.

“Everybody has the right to die a good death.”
When asked why she became a death doula, that was Janet O’Dell’s ‘in a nutshell’ response.
O’Dell, a longtime resident of Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley, traded in her dental assistant scrubs a few years ago, and returned to school, to pursue what she describes as a calling.
“It started with a little company (discovered online) called Doula Givers out of the USA and immediately thought ‘ah, that’s my calling – let’s see what Canada needs for requirements,’” said O’Dell. “So I took my course through Douglas College (in Vancouver). That was when I realized that I had been doing this for a whole long time – before I even knew what a death doula was.”
She recalls the death of a friend as being a catalyst for this career change.
“I had a friend that passed away from cancer about nine years ago, and I witnessed her not-so-good death. She wanted to stay at home to die, which was her choice. But her family was very little and she didn’t have much support, and it was quite a gruesome death. I never want to see that for another person. So that’s where my passion came out.
“There is such a thing as a good death – if you plan for it.”
O’Dell describes a death doula as “non-medical practitioners, who are trained and knowledgeable in supporting the dying, and their families, before, during and after death.”
Death doulas offer everything from advanced care planning, and end-of-life guidance, to grief support and home death/funeral arrangements.
“We meet with our clients and discuss everything, all the planning,” said O’Dell. “What are your wishes? What do you want (to be) done with your body? We talk about creating legacies… for families and loved ones left behind.”
In addition to preparation, death doulas offer emotional support for the dying.
“We will sit, support, listen. We are confidants,” said O’Dell. “I will meet them, joke with them, keep life in light, in a sense. We are companions. We are guiders. We will help families grieve, even at the time of the diagnosis – anticipatory grief.”
O’Dell acknowledges death is not an easy subject for many people. She wants to change that.
“My mission is to ‘flip the script’ and transform how we think and talk about death,” O’Dell said. “To encourage and empower others to speak about death. Being a death doula is an honour, it is fulfilling, it is my passion.
“You’re going to die… so plan for it.”
O’Dell’s company, Dynamic Journey, has been operating since May of this year. It is non-denominational.
“My philosophy is, as a death doula, I do not judge your choices, your actions, your desires, or your experience. I am here to support you in figuring out what makes sense for you; that may include decision-making, healing, processing, and more,” she said. “We can meet in public, at a park, or outside. We do Zoom meetings, phone calls, text messages – we are virtually everywhere.”
O’Dell said there has been a general surge in death doulas, and the pandemic is a major factor.
“What we are seeing, is the medical industry is stressed,” she said. “Health care workers, so many are taking leaves, or are burned out, or just retiring. We are in a crisis, and death doulas are filling in a void.”

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