Meet Kathleen Gallacher | Death Doula & End-of-Life Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathleen Gallacher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathleen, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I’m a death doula, which basically means I help people and their families navigate one of the hardest and most avoided parts of life: death. Through The Everafter Collective, I provide emotional support, practical guidance, and help with planning ahead. My role can take many forms depending on the needs of each family. Sometimes that means sitting at the bedside and offering comfort or presence in those final days. Other times it’s helping people document their wishes, organize important details, or create legacy projects that capture who they are and what matters most to them. I also support loved ones after a death by helping with the practical details that can feel overwhelming when grief is fresh. Think of me as part guide, part planner, and part extra pair of hands when life feels overwhelming. My goal is to make the process around dying more human, more intentional, and a little less lonely.

Alongside my doula work, I also volunteer with Hospice by the Sea. Each week, I help arrange flowers that are delivered to people receiving care, adding a little beauty to their day. I also spend time visiting with patients, offering companionship and support. Those moments might seem small, but they really matter. They bring comfort, connection, and peace for the person receiving care and for their family, who can rest knowing their loved one isn’t alone.

And with Die All Ready, my passion project, I zoom out to the bigger picture. This is where I focus on activism and education, encouraging people, especially the young and healthy, to start these conversations now, before illness or crisis forces them to. End-of-life planning is not just about making medical or legal decisions. It is about getting clear on what actually matters to you. When you are not in a state of fear or urgency, you have the space to think about your values, your priorities, and the kind of care and closure you want for yourself and the people you love. Doing this work early allows you to approach it with curiosity instead of panic, intention instead of resistance. When we talk about death early, it stops feeling so heavy. It becomes less about fear and more about understanding what makes life meaningful in the first place.

At the core of all this work is my hope that we can see death differently, as something that, when faced honestly, brings more connection, compassion, and meaning to the lives we’re living.

What should our readers know about your business?
The heart of The Everafter Collective is helping people and their families face death with less fear and more support, but it’s also about changing the way we approach the topic altogether. I wanted to build something that felt both deeply personal and accessible, a space where people could find guidance, comfort, and clarity without it feeling clinical or intimidating. My work blends the practical with the emotional because I’ve learned that true peace at the end of life comes from both having a plan and feeling seen.

Building this business has been equal parts rewarding and humbling. Talking about death for a living isn’t exactly mainstream, so there were moments early on when I wondered how to even begin reaching people. But once I started sharing honestly through workshops, volunteering, and one-on-one support, I realized how much people want these conversations. They are just waiting for someone to make it feel safe to start.

What sets The Everafter Collective apart is that it’s not just about dying well; it’s about living with more awareness and intention. Every time I work with a family, I am reminded that end-of-life planning isn’t really about endings. It’s about love, legacy, and the stories we leave behind. That’s what I’m most proud of and what keeps me going.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, I’d want to give them the best of North County San Diego. We’d kick things off in Encinitas and Leucadia with coffee at Lofty, a walk through the Self-Realization Temple gardens, a stop at my favorite shop, Threadspun, for ethically made goods, and lunch at Manna for fresh, beautiful bites.

We’d spend another day in Carlsbad, starting with a stroll through downtown to pop into some of the cute local shops, and of course grabbing a donut at The Goods. We’d have lunch at Wildland, then a long beach walk. Later in the week, I’d take them back to hit Campfire, Jeune et Jolie, or Lilo for dinner which are all part of the same restaurant group and consistently amazing.

We’d spend a day hiking the cliffs at Torrey Pines, followed by lunch at The Lodge, where their homemade chips and onion dip are a must. Then, for some downtime, a spa day at Omni La Costa to recharge with a massage and some time by the pool.

For a perfect La Jolla day, we’d explore the Birch Aquarium, shop at UTC, grab dinner at Javier’s, and end the night at the La Jolla Playhouse — I just saw their latest production, The Heart, and it was incredible.

And of course, no trip is complete without a simple beach day at Moonlight — snacks, swimming, and a laid-back sunset with a California burrito from The Taco Stand, to close out the week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been lucky to have incredible people shape my path into this work. My teacher, Alua Arthur, deserves so much credit. Her energy, wisdom, and vision for what death work can be gave me both the training and the confidence to step fully into this role. She’s been a huge inspiration for me and countless others in the evolving world of death awareness and advocacy.

Closer to home, I also want to recognize Kathie Jackson, the owner of Hospice by the Sea, where I volunteer. She leads with such compassion and generosity, and has created a space that truly prioritizes dignity and care at the end of life. Watching the way she shows up for patients, families, and volunteers has been such a model for me in how to do this work with heart.

Website: https://www.theeveraftercollective.com and https://www.dieallready.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_everafter_collective_/ and https://www.instagram.com/die_all_ready_/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-everafter-collective-carlsbad