About Us
Kirby Lee
Death is our friend, precisely because it brings us into absolute and passionate presence with all that is here, that is natural, that is love.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Kirby is a death care partner and home funeral guide. Her work is rooted in presence, relationship, and the belief that dying is a natural part of life that deserves care, dignity, and community.
She began accompanying the dying while living in Central Mexico, where she trained and worked alongside a team of life, death, and transition doulas. Since then, she has cared for hundreds of individuals through her work with Hudson Valley Hospice, community death care homes including East Mountain House and Circle Home, and private families.
Her work is grounded in reverence for the natural cycles of life and a devotion to accompanying others with compassion and integrity.
I do not believe anyone is an expert in the mystery of death. I share what I have learned through experience to support families and communities in having the confidence to care for their own dead during the dying process and after. I work collaboratively with other death care workers to ensure continuity of care, and together we prioritize education, choice, and family/ community-led practices.
Cory Smith
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou
Cory is a Death Doula, End of Life Care Consultant, Mother, Reiki practitioner and Yoga teacher. Her passion for working with seniors and navigating all the beautiful and numerous aspects of death comes from a lifetime of spiritual practice and an interest in truly wholistic health and well being. Cory began her career teaching yoga for every body with a focus on movement for Seniors. With a desire to move into deeper work and stay connected to a population that she always felt at home with, end of life care was a natural fit. Cory understands that no two journeys are alike. She has the capacity to meet each person and family where they are, helping to explore what a meaningful end-of-life experience looks like, guided by personal values, beliefs, and wishes.
My mission is to help end stigma around death and dying replacing it with understanding and empowerment. My intention is to help individuals and families approach this sacred time with clarity, peace and intention.