About me
My Promise to You
When you work with me, you’ll feel more prepared and more at peace with the reality of what’s happening, whether you are facing your own end of life or supporting a loved one through theirs. Together, we’ll bring clarity to your wishes, confidence to your family, and a deeper sense of meaning to the time you have, helping you live these moments with presence, connection, and peace.
Guiding End-of-Life Care, Planning, and Ceremony in New Jersey
I’m Jill McClennen, a Certified Death Doula and InSight Certified Funeral Celebrant. I guide individuals and families through life’s final chapter with compassion, clarity, and heart, helping them navigate end-of-life care, grief, and meaningful ceremony.
My path to this work began in 2006, when my husband and I moved from California to New Jersey to open a bakery and care for my 90-year-old grandmother at home. During her final six weeks in hospice, I faced emotions I never expected. Balancing her care while raising a young family taught me that death isn’t just an ending, it’s a deeply transformative part of life.
If you want to read more about my story caring for my Grandmother, check out this blog post.
That experience showed me how unprepared most families are for dying, emotionally and practically. I wish someone had educated me about what to expect and guided me through it, offering understanding and tools to make it easier. That wish became my calling.
In 2019, I discovered the work of death doulas and immediately knew it was where I was meant to be. I completed my training with Jill Schock of Death Doula LA in 2020. In 2023, I launched Seeing Death Clearly, my podcast that brings real, healing conversations about death into everyday life.
In 2025, I became an InSight Certified Funeral Celebrant, deepening my skills in service planning, ceremony creation, and compassionate family support.
Today, my work weaves together emotional support, practical guidance, and storytelling. I believe soul-level healing is always possible when we dare to face our inevitable death and prepare for the future, both the life we’re still living and the death that will one day come. I walk beside my clients through fear, grief, and uncertainty, helping them prepare mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Together, we create end-of-life plans that bring peace, clarity, and comfort for ourselves and our loved ones.
My Core Values
Preparing for the end of life is one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones and yourself. My work is grounded in presence, empathy, and unwavering support, helping you feel seen, understood, and truly prepared for life’s most tender moments.
Death is never easy, and grief will always be part of being a human, but it doesn’t have to be traumatic. When we face mortality with intention and care, we find peace, clarity, and even beauty in the process. I walk beside you, step by step, helping you clarify what matters most, honor your values, and support your family so that when the time comes, everyone feels held and prepared.
In every interaction, my goal is to help you and your loved ones feel calm, supported, and empowered; connected to your life, your story, and each other. Together, we create space for understanding, reassurance, and meaningful choices that honor both life and death.
Why Choose Jill
I care deeply about end-of-life support because I’ve lived it. Caring for my grandmother through her final weeks taught me that dying is not just an ending, it’s a sacred transition that deserves compassion, presence, and clarity.
As your guide, I bring empathy, training, and lived experience to help you prepare physically, emotionally, and spiritually. My goal is to provide steady, grounded support so you can face life’s final chapter with confidence, dignity, and peace.
If my story resonates with you, I invite you to connect. Together, we can create clarity, peace, and understanding at life’s most profound moments.