Author: Francesca Lynn Arnoldy

Francesca Lynn Arnoldy is a community doula and death literacy advocate. A respected thought leader in the end-of-life care field, she is the author of MAP OF MEMORY LANE (a picture book), CULTIVATING THE DOULA HEART (a guidebook) and THE DEATH DOULA'S GUIDE TO LIVING FULLY AND DYING PREPARED (an interactive workbook). She is a published researcher with the Vermont Conversation Lab and was the original creator of the doula training programs at the University of Vermont. At the core of all her work is a dedication to inspire compassion, connection, and confidence for life's greatest times of intensity. She resides in a quaint village in rural Vermont with her beloveds.

Living a Loss

March 31, 2026April 1, 2026 Francesca Lynn Arnoldy

For me, it’s a beautiful undertaking to study grief care and provide direct support to those facing loss. It’s been a different sort of challenge, though, to live grief while immersed in the field. But that’s what fate had in mind. Back in early February, I was finishing my manuscript and arranging the first print… Continue reading Living a Loss

The Grapplehood of Grief

February 19, 2026April 1, 2026 Francesca Lynn Arnoldy

It’s been two days since my dad’s death and I’m thinking about the strange mental gymnastics of loss. In truth, I began to gradually grieve my dad long ago—the dad he was, the dad he wasn’t, and the dad he’d never be—especially after dementia set in. Still, this loss is deep, and impermanence is hard… Continue reading The Grapplehood of Grief

Contemplative Vision Map

January 2, 2026January 5, 2026 Francesca Lynn Arnoldy

When facing a challenge or setting a goal, it's helpful to create a vision. Identifying where you are now and where you'd like to go can provide clarity to your journey. This process of drafting a "Contemplative Vision Map" includes not only the pragmatic aspects of decision-making but also the thoughtful, mindful considerations that foster… Continue reading Contemplative Vision Map

Beliefs Worth Backing

November 3, 2025January 19, 2026 Francesca Lynn Arnoldy

There are countless reasons to strengthen community grief care. Here are five to embrace and enact today. #1. Grief is both Universal and Deeply Personal The community grief support I provide is rooted in this truth. There’s value in learning about loss and also in exploring our personal reactions to it.A grief care client expressed… Continue reading Beliefs Worth Backing

Doula Researcher

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 Francesca Lynn Arnoldy

In addition to my community doula work, I've also been part of the research team at the Vermont Conversation Lab (VCL). Here's a closer look... The Backstory I first met Dr. Bob Gramling, head of the VCL, in 2016 when developing the end-of-life doula training programs at UVM. I quickly recognized him as a kindred… Continue reading Doula Researcher