Dallas woman with terminal cancer hires death doula to plan her end of life

Dallas resident Jeanine Blair, 48, who has terminal rectal cancer, hired death doula Britna Savarese to help plan her death and ensure her sisters aren't burdened by end-of-life decisions. Blair was diagnosed in January 2025 and stopped treatment after learning invasive surgery would hurt her quality of life. She plans to donate her body to UT Southwestern and arranged two funerals, including a memorial at a movie theater. Savarese provides emotional support and legacy planning; Texas does not regulate death doulas. Blair’s parents' unplanned deaths, which left family turmoil, influenced her decision.