Janet Green - Summit Care Partners

Meet Cryst'l

Cryst'l Scheer is a certified thanatologist, NEDA-proficient end-of-life doula, and educator who is dedicated to advancing compassionate, client-centered end-of-life care through education, advocacy, and meaningful community engagement. She believes that open conversation, informed choice, and intentional preparation foster comfort and connection during times of change and transition. With over ten years of hands-on hospice, death care, and end-of-life education experience, she combines practical expertise with a heartfelt approach rooted in dignity and respect for autonomy.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Oregon State University and has completed professional end of life doula training through Peaceful Presence in Bend, Oregon; the University of Vermont End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate program; and the International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA).

Cryst’l founded Summit Care Partners in 2022, offering education, planning, and personalized guidance on end-of-life topics for individuals, families, and organizations. Based in Williamsburg, Virginia, Cryst’l offers client sessions, workshops, and presentations both virtually and on-site.

Her work encourages both personal reflection and broader cultural change in how communities understand and respond to death, dying, and grief. In addition to her individual services, she collaborates with businesses and organizations to develop employee wellness programs through death literacy education, and she provides mentorship for emerging death doulas seeking to improve their skills and confidence in professional practice.

In Virginia, Cryst’l actively promotes statewide professional collaboration as the Founding Co-Chair of the Virginia End-of-Life Doula Collective. She also serves as an Action Team Leader and Steering Committee member for Compassion & Choices Virginia, contributing to statewide advocacy and public education efforts related to end‑of‑life care and patient autonomy.
Nationwide, she supports doulas' professional growth as a discussion facilitator with the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA). She also teaches in the University of Vermont’s End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate program.

Cryst’l believes that fostering professional development and connections among end-of-life doulas will strengthen their impact. She encourages collective efforts that provide education, resource-sharing, and emotional support, helping end-of-life doulas serve their clients and community more effectively.

When she’s not working, she enjoys road trips, hazelnut lattes, and all things Halloween.

A note from Cryst'l...

I developed an interest in end-of-life care as one of my grandmother’s primary caregivers while in hospice.

I had no idea what to expect.

A large part of the checklist had already been discussed, and some steps had been taken. Her cremation was paid for in advance. She had a will, an advance directive, and a healthcare proxy. She arranged a DNR with her doctor. Some of the stress during those initial days in hospice came from realizing that some of her documents needed updating. Circumstances had changed, and the paperwork had not been reviewed in quite some time.

I immersed myself in more information than I could handle about her disease process, comfort care, bed baths, what transitioning and actively dying would look like, and how to prepare my then 5-year-old son for what was coming, how to say goodbye, and how to ensure she had the most fulfilling final days of life—the list goes on.

Despite my best efforts, I always felt like I was behind the curve. The last six months of her life were a complete whirlwind.

I wish I had been more prepared.

I began volunteering with the same amazing hospice organization and team that my grandmother had been on, and as a patient advocate at our local hospital. I changed my focus in college from early childhood education and teaching to sociology and gerontology. Since then, I spent over 6 years in hospice, working in various roles before starting Summit Care Partners and becoming an end-of-life doula.

The more involved I became in end-of-life care, the more I realized I was not the only one feeling overwhelmed and underprepared for this experience. I focus on helping people define, plan, and discuss their preferences and goals for the final stage of life.

Confronting mortality isn't easy. Talking about death can be tough. Making a personalized plan, getting things in order, and documenting your wishes before a medical emergency are important steps to reduce some of the stress during that time.

Today, I walk alongside individuals and families who want to feel more prepared, supported, and at peace with this part of life. If you’d like support starting these conversations or making a plan, I’m here to help.