The Man Who Sits With Death (And Doesn’t Bill You for It)
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A spiritual job nobody asked for — and everyone needs.
Some people collect stamps. Some people run triathlons. And then there’s David Jones, who quietly walks into rooms most of us tiptoe around — and sits beside the dying, in full presence, with zero expectation and even less ego. That’s not hyperbole; it’s literally part of his life’s work. But here’s the twist: while David earns a living as a therapist and college tutor working with neurodiverse youth, he offers this other, more sacred service — guiding people through the spiritual process of dying — completely free of charge.
You’ll find the full depth of this conversation on the Spiritual Conversation podcast by HolisticCircle, where host Philipp Kobald gently coaxes the British healer into unpacking what it means to escort people — spiritually — to their final threshold. This isn’t death as we know it. It’s something far more human. And far less transactional.
Death, With Dignity (And Cake?)
Before you imagine cloaks and incense, picture something warmer. David regularly hosts “death cafés” — public meet-ups where tea, cake, and the subject of dying are all served without pretence. Turns out people are starved for it. Because in a world obsessed with wellness and longevity, we’re staggeringly unprepared for the one thing guaranteed to happen to all of us.
David doesn’t come with dogma. He comes with presence. And when he sits beside someone at the end of their life, he’s not just there for the moment of death. In fact, the dying process he supports can unfold over months — sometimes even years. Three years isn’t uncommon. And he’s there for it all.
Not Just the One Dying
This work isn’t just about the person in the bed. It’s also about those standing around it. David works just as closely with family members, helping them navigate the guilt, fear, and complicated emotions that swirl around death like a secondary storm. He educates them gently: no, your loved one doesn’t need to eat anymore; yes, it’s normal that they’ve gone quiet; and most importantly — it’s okay to let them go.
And when the moment of death does come, he’s often not even in the room — because the dying frequently wait to be alone to leave. It’s a subtle, sacred choice he’s seen again and again. And his job is not to fix or save — it’s to witness, honour, and hold.
The Long Goodbye Isn’t a Failure. It’s a Process.
One of the most surprising truths David shares? Dying takes time. Not metaphorical time — literal, calendar-marked, sometimes three-year-long time. Through the ancient framework of the body’s four elements — earth, water, fire, and air — David helps families recognise the gradual unraveling of life. There’s no stopwatch. No script. But there is rhythm, and he’s learned to listen for it.
This kind of guidance used to come from religious figures. Priests, monks, the village elder. But in a secular, atomised culture, that space is vanishing. David doesn’t preach. He shows up. With his training as a Soul Doula and a quiet oath of spiritual equality — meaning he honours all beliefs, including none — he fills a role we’ve lost track of and desperately need back.
Yes, He Has a Day Job. No, This Isn’t It.
Let’s be clear: David charges for his work as a therapist and college educator. That’s his livelihood, and rightly so. He teaches life skills to young adults with autism, guides clients through trauma recovery, and runs a coaching practice grounded in empathy and experience. But this other part — the Soul Doula work — is something else entirely.
He doesn’t promote it. Doesn’t hang up a sign. And he’s never sent an invoice. Because, as he puts it, “Some things are just meant to be done in love.” It’s not a slogan. It’s a worldview. And somehow, he still manages to show up for it, again and again.
Healers: This Is Your Wake-Up Call
If you’re a healer — energy worker, therapist, coach, or someone who’s built a life around guiding others — this isn’t just David’s story. It’s a mirror. Most of us talk about “holding space” — but few of us hold it like this. Quietly. With no ego. And no expectation of a testimonial.
What he offers isn’t just service. It’s a kind of spiritual integrity that should give us all pause. Because if we’re not willing to walk with people through the full arc — from breakthrough to breakdown to goodbye — then what are we really offering?
And Yes — You Can Watch the Whole Conversation on the @HolisticCircle YouTube Channel (If You’re Ready)
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By Philipp Kobald in cooperation with AI
@2025 HolisticCircle by Philipp Kobald