Nicole Briggs-Gary turns personal loss into a death doula practice

Nicole Briggs-Gary, a Richmond-based wellness coach and death doula, details in a new anthology chapter how witnessing her uncle’s death as a child helped shape her path toward end-of-life care. Her story appears in The Moment We Rise, a September 2026 anthology that reached bestseller lists in multiple countries and donates proceeds to Brighter Healing Foundation.

Why it matters: - Briggs-Gary’s story shows how end-of-life care is expanding beyond medicine to include emotional, sensory, and spiritual support for families. - The anthology’s proceeds go to Brighter Healing Foundation, linking the book’s message about healing and purpose to a broader mission for holistic education and support.

What happened: - Nicole Briggs-Gary is featured as one of 15 contributing authors in The Moment We Rise: Stories of Healing, Purpose, and the Courage to Choose a New Beginning. - The anthology was released Sept. 9, 2026, and reached bestseller charts in multiple categories in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. - Briggs-Gary wrote the chapter “The Softening of the Threshold,” which traces her path from childhood grief and adult burnout to becoming a death doula. - The book was compiled by Vickie Gould, founder of Life Changing Energy, and published by Morning Oak Publishing. - The anthology is available in eBook and paperback on Amazon.

The details: - Briggs-Gary says witnessing her uncle’s death at age 8 became a formative memory. - During that loss, she approached her uncle’s body, touched his hands and face, kissed his forehead goodbye, gathered warm towels for relatives, and played the piano to create a calmer moment. - As an adult, Briggs-Gary describes feeling overwhelmed by corporate work, personal trauma, and disconnection from her life. - A social media video featuring Alua Arthur, founder of Going with Grace, introduced Briggs-Gary to death doula work. - A death doula provides nonmedical support before, during, and after death to help individuals and families navigate practical, emotional, and personal needs. - Briggs-Gary completed Going with Grace’s end-of-life training program and became a facilitator for the organization. - Her practice now includes Reiki, sound therapy, breathwork, mindfulness, and integrative wellness work. - In one end-of-life visit, she noticed family tension and anxiety while a loved one was dying. - She slowed the moment down and invited a family member to place their feet in a bowl of warm water. - Briggs-Gary says the simple sensory act helped the family settle, breathe, and stay present. - Briggs-Gary writes, “Families do not need perfection in these moments. They need permission.” - She also writes, “I have come to understand that my role as a death doula is not to guide death. It is to guide presence.” - Briggs-Gary is a board-certified integrative health and wellness coach, practicing death doula, sound bath facilitator, Sacred Ceremonies facilitator, and instructional facilitator with Going with Grace End of Life Training. - She also works as a natural hair care stylist and describes herself as a nature enthusiast. - Briggs-Gary’s media contact is Into the Zen and intothezenden@gmail.com.

Between the lines: - Briggs-Gary’s chapter frames death doula work as a response to emotional overwhelm, not just a practical service. - The story suggests that presence and permission can be as important as intervention when families are facing death. - The anthology’s broad mix of healing, grief, trauma, identity, and career-change stories positions Briggs-Gary’s experience as part of a larger trend toward purpose-driven reinvention.

What's next: - Briggs-Gary is continuing her work supporting individuals and families through end-of-life transitions. - The anthology’s sales will continue benefiting Brighter Healing Foundation as readers buy the book in digital and print formats. - Her chapter may also serve as a public introduction to death doula care for readers unfamiliar with the profession.