A death companion/death doula is a non-medical trained professional who supports the emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of a dying person. We also offer holistic support to the loved ones of a dying person and can act as an intermediary between medical staff and non-medical support. Some of our services include: creating advanced directives, sitting vigil, offering house limpias/space clearings, etc. We specialize in the unique needs of perinatal bereavement. We also offer preparation and care for pet loss.

A traditional healer is competent in providing effective and accessible care utilizing natural technologies based on our ancestral and cultural backgrounds. We also take into account the knowledge and beliefs within the communities we serve. We utilize ancient healing modalities, such as working with the gentle energetic medicine of flower essences, agua florida, and homemade herbal oils.

We pay attention to the physical body and care for the mind and heart because we understand their inherent connection. We at Floripondio believe in working with these practices alongside the necessary treatments of Western medicine.

QTBIPOC is an acronym for 'Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color'. Though we use this acronym throughout our work and this website, we recognize its limitations. We also appreciate and use the collective term 'People of the Global Majority' (PGM). PGM reminds us that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color represent over 80% of this world’s living population. Additionally, we recognize that there is a wide range of identities and vocabulary that people use to describe their sexualities and genders. We honor and center people who identify as LQBTQIA2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or gender expansive, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, and more).

Yes, Floripondio provides end-of-life planning & services to QTBIPOC and all dying allies. An ally provides active and ongoing support, especially to folks within socially marginalized groups. This means that while we are committed to centering QTBIPOC, we are also open to serving any dying person who lives in solidarity with Queer & Trans People of the Global Majority.

Yes, we do. Batul and Melissa have been facilitating in-person and online Curandersimo (traditional Mexican healing) classes together since 2018. We are both trained and skilled in relating to emotions from an Indigenous and Earth-based perspective, which guides our personal lives as well as our death work. We offer classes on making relationship with plants for emotional support through end of life and workshops to bring back traditional practices such as at-home end of life ceremonies. We provide one-on-one grief support, grief groups, anger support circles, non-denominational prayer circles, and QTBIPOC Death Cafes. We can also  provide referrals for therapy and ongoing grief support when needed.

As guests on Unceded Lisjan Ohlone Territory, also known as Oakland, California, we support the Sogorea Te' Land Trust. This urban indigenous women-led land trust is facilitating the return of Indigeneous land to Indigenous people to help heal and transform the legacies of colonization, genocide, and patriarchy. If you live in the so-called Bay Area, we encourage you to give Shuumi Land Tax and consider writing them into your will to give the land back. If you live outside the so-called Bay Area, we invite you to find out what native-led organizations exist in your area that are accepting the return of land and artifacts.