Partnering with hospice staff, caregivers, and families to create compassionate, personalized end-of-life care rooted in dignity and respect.
LovingDeathDesign helps caregivers and loved ones create intentional, sensory-informed environments that support comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being at the end of life. By integrating touch, sound, and mindful presence, we reduce the risk of retraumatization and foster states of calm and reflection. My approach supports meaningful life review, helping the dying feel seen, safe, and deeply honored in their final moments.
My workshop focuses on the impact of sound, silence, and touch, and demonstrates how to hold space with greater intention, respect, and awareness of the needs of the individual. This interactive session for hospice providers, caregivers, chaplains, families, and volunteers introduces the core principles of LovingDeathDesign:
Research-informed practices
Education for identifying touch aversion (PTSD, Asperger's, Sexual Assault, etc)
Tools to avoid retraumatization (identifying signs of distress in the unconscious)
Individually designed approach to end-of-life care that has a more complete intake questionnaire
Informed care is critical during the active dying process when patients can no longer advocate for themselves.
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Empowering Experiences: What My Clients Are Saying
"Cynthia's workshop blends intellectual insight with hands-on skill, creates connection and interactivity, and emphasizes whole-health patient-centric care."
Director of Volunteer Services, HopeWest
"Dr. Zaitz brought deep expertise and a rare sensitivity to her topics, weaving together clinical insights and personal stories to create an atmosphere of reverence and learning. Volunteers left feeling empowered, inspired, and better equipped to offer comfort and connection at the end of life."
Volunteer Coordinator, HopeWest
"Cynthia brings strong responsibility and insight, with a focus on inclusive outcomes...She is a fantastic teacher and facilitator of adult learners."
Netweaver, Connect for Good
"Dr. Zaitz's Workshop is a masterclass in empathy - employing it both as the gold standard for compassionate care, as well as the teaching medium through which participants learn to embody this goal. The workshop provides an eye-opening experiential perspective of those in end-of-life care to help caregivers better respect and honor their unique circumstances and preferences."
Founding LDD Board Member
Director of Platform Operations with MedeAnalytics
“Dr. Cynthia Zaitz’s Loving Death Design presentation is transformative. Through interactive training, it equips caregivers and professionals with powerful insights into how personalized environments, music, and touch shape well-being at the end of life. Participants are guided to reflect, challenge assumptions, and embrace individual differences, ensuring compassionate, person-centered care that honors each person’s wishes and fosters emotional well-being. Everyone who faces caring for loved ones will benefit from this training.”
Founding LDD Board Member
Marketing and Project Managing Director