Embracing life until your last breath

As an End-of-Life Doula (also known as a death doula or death midwife), I am here to provide non-medical, compassionate, and personalized support to individuals facing an uncertain future due to serious illness, those choosing hospice care, or those proactively planning while still healthy.

I want to help ease fears, provide education, and empower you and your loved ones to live as fully as possible for as long as possible. Let’s connect to discuss how I can assist you on this profound path, allowing you to embrace life fully while preparing for your next chapter.

Meet Michelle

In my experience, death is a powerful teacher. Being deeply present to the natural dying experience and contemplating our own mortality offers an opportunity to change how we live our lives. My own transformational experience came in 2011 when my husband transitioned (passed away) 3 months after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 46.

This experience cracked my entire being wide open, and my life became a ‘before’ and ‘after’ story. I could tell I needed to create a new kind of life for myself, so I began studying death, dying, and grief as part of my own personal healing. Through this process, I found purpose in working as a Death Doula, Death Educator, Grief Relief Coach and Life Coach.

I created Held with the intention of holding space for end-of-life experiences, whatever they may be. I hope to bring light into the mystery of death and to provide a safe place to confront fears. It is my belief that we are the creators in our own lives, and we can create the life we want until our last breath.

held    Testimonials

“I want to send you a sincere thank you for all of your guidance and wisdom this spring. I truly appreciate how you made me think about grief from many angles. I honestly think it made a huge difference in my healing. You have truly found your calling in being a grief educator and you are blessed with many gifts.”

-Grief Coaching Client-

“Michelle befriended my Dad, validated his choice to VSED, imparted a basic knowledge of the dying process, and brought helpful supplies we didn’t know we needed. Most of all, she wrapped us all in her calm, caring heart. She kept in touch, showed up when my nerves were fraying, and even sat vigil so my sister and I could have a meal together. I am forever grateful, and I recommend Michelle unconditionally.”

-Daughter, Caregiver | Full Review–

“Thank you for facilitating our family meeting about my mom. While I wasn’t sure what to expect, I found myself leaving “feeling lighter” than when I came. I experienced being able to be quiet, listen to each other and make space for some concrete steps that may bring comfort to my mom or each of us.”

-Daugher of Hospice Patient-

“I deeply appreciate the way Michelle uses her intuition wisely and gently, connects easily with people, nudges patients toward self-exploration when needed, is deeply compassionate, and brings her wonderful sense of humor to the work. Her experiential wisdom serves her well; personal losses have opened her heart with great empathy and passion for this important work. Michelle has stretched herself in difficult situations, and I have seen continued growth from those experiences.”

-Nina Guertin

“For the past 20 years, I have hosted a birthday gathering for myself that includes my closest friends, wonderful comfort food and a special surprise guest. This year, I invited Michelle Kolling to facilitate a ‘light hearted’ conversation about death. Michelle’s warm, gentle and approachable demeanor quickly reassured my guests that this was a safe environment to have this dialogue. At the end of the evening, my guests were grateful to have had a shared learning experience, as well as an opportunity for personal reflection and application.

Thank you, Michelle, for opening my mind and my heart. I am grateful.”

-A Dinner to Die For Host-

“I had a chance to look over your work and am truly amazed at her End of Life plan. I have never seen something so spelled out and with such a personal focus. I can just imagine the relief she must feel with her wishes being honored. I am so glad you are doing the work you are doing, and it is an honor to work with you.”

-Hospice Nurse-

My Services

Holistic End-of-Life Doula

My four-part model includes a life review, vigil planning, caregiver support, and bereavement.

One-on-One Grief Coaching

Though the pain of grief is unavoidable, the journey through healing can be transformative.

Ask a Doula!

Discover the keys to living a more meaningful, peaceful, and fulfilling life.

Advanced Planning

There are choices we can make now about your death plan while we are healthy.

Special Events

Let’s plan a special event like a Dinner to Die For or a Private Workshop.

Live Events

Held Through Grief

A Group Support Experience

Healing from grief is a process, and everyone’s individual experience is unique. In this monthly group experience, we create a safe and sacred space for people who have experienced the death of a close loved one.

First Saturday of Every Month

10:00 – 11:30 am

The Healing Arts Collective
626 Armstrong Ave #110, St. Paul, MN

Held Through Grief

A Group Support Experience

Healing from grief is a process, and everyone’s individual experience is unique. In this monthly group experience, we create a safe and sacred space for people who have experienced the death of a close loved one.

First Saturday of Every Month

10:00 – 11:30 am

The Healing Arts Collective
626 Armstrong Ave #110, St. Paul, MN

Curiosity Café

Go Wish

A game to discover what’s most important should you be diagnosed with serious illness

May 8, 2025

4:30 – 5:30 pm | Light Snacks
5:30 – 6:00 pm | Social Time 

Schromen Law Conference Room
319 Ramsey Street, St. Paul, MN

Curiosity Café

Broken Beauty Kintsugi Workshop

During this workshop we will use the 15th century Japanese art form, Kintsugi, to transform what was into what can be. In Kintsugi, broken pottery, when repaired with gold-laced epoxy, becomes exquisite – it’s cracks, the source of beauty. Drawing from this ancient art form we will honor our imperfections and fill our wounds with gold – transforming dark into light, pain into possibility, broken into beauty.

June 12, 2025

4:30 – 6:30 pm

Schromen Law Conference Room
319 Ramsey Street, St. Paul, MN

How Can I Be of Service to You?

How Can I Be of Service to You?

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