In the delicate space where life begins to wane and the soul prepares for its next journey, Michelle Leray offers more than comfort—she offers a bridge between worlds. A certified End of Life Doula, Spiritual Medium Teacher, Funeral Celebrant, and Grief Support Specialist, Michelle’s path has been divinely guided since childhood. With an intuitive heart and decades of training, she stands beside individuals and families during life’s most vulnerable moments, bringing peace, empowerment, and profound spiritual insight. Whether guiding the dying through their final days, mentoring developing mediums around the globe, or using her voice as a traditional singer and drum carrier, Michelle’s life is a tapestry of service, spirit, and strength. In this soulful interview with Mystic Mag, we explore the depth of Michelle’s calling, her journey as a medium and doula, and how she continues to bring light, love, and healing to the sacred passage we all must one day walk.
You’ve been aware of your intuitive abilities since a young age. Can you tell us about the moment you first realized you had this gift, and how it shaped your journey?
I definitely do not view my abilities as “gifts” but rather skills that I have cultivated, likely over many lifetimes. A gift denotes the potential for it to be taken away, if it had been given, but a skill is hard-earned and stays with us, regardless of the realm we are in. I cannot say that there was a singular moment in which I experienced the realization that I am a medium; it’s something I’ve had within me all along, and once I understood the terminology to describe what I had been experiencing a little more, I was able to consciously accept that this is who I am. I have been so grateful for every moment, to walk this path with my spirit guides so closely and to offer these validating connections to so many people over the years.
With such a diverse background in counseling, mediumship, and end-of-life care, how do you blend these different aspects of your life into your approach to helping others?
It is such an honor to be present for others before, during, and after death has taken place, and to offer a safe space of compassion and understanding, as well as education to help others ease into their transition from this life into the next. All of my skills complement each other, and help me to meet others wherever they are on their personal journeys. After many years of cultivating these skills and offerings, I am creating a very well-rounded Death Doula Certificate Program through my second business that I founded last year, Death Doulas of Manitoba, as I hope to bring a very unique perspective and skillset to the emerging death doulas in Canada.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer mediumship readings (where I connect people with their loved ones in spirit and spirit guides), Reiki healing sessions (both in person and distantly), end of life doula sessions (meeting with clients to offer resources, guidance, support, etc.), grief support sessions, as well as mentoring to apprentice mediums and eventually apprentice death doulas. As a certified funeral celebrant I create beautiful ceremonies for those who are interested in a different approach to end of life services. I also facilitate monthly online grief circles and death cafés, as well as guided meditations at no cost. Lastly, I also work with animal companions, both as a death doula and medium, which can be very helpful for people who need support while their beloved animal friends prepare to leave this world. For both humans and animals, I create rituals and ceremonies that can be very helpful before and during death, as well as for bereavement.
You’ve taught courses on spiritual healing, mediumship, and grief from a spiritual perspective. What do you believe is the most important lesson your students take away from these courses?
I hope that what they take away from my courses is that they have always had the capability to communicate with Spirit, and that they have always been guided and supported by their loved ones and spirit guides. For emerging and aspiring mediums and healers, the most important aspect I focus on is ethics, and I truly hope this is what stays with them when they remember the teachings. Everyone has the ability to enhance their connection with their own guides and loved ones, and so I hope that anyone who feels drawn to learn more will seek out the teacher(s) they resonate with. Not everyone will become a professional medium in this life, but it is important to remember that no matter what we learn, we bring with us into the next world, as well as into our next lives. It is always worthwhile to learn, and to begin cultivating new skills.
As someone who has trained extensively in end-of-life care, how do you incorporate both spiritual and emotional support into your role as an End of Life Doula?
Every person or family that hires me to be their doula is unique; some are looking for predominantly emotional or spiritual support, while others are seeking a more down to earth approach, such as ensuring they have everything done that can be done, such as advance care planning, legacy projects, preparing for vigil, and making their wishes known for after death care such as any important rituals or practices they would like done. I pay attention to the energy and words of each person who has invited me to be a supportive person on this part of their path, and I do my best to meet them where they are at; providing the energy, support, encouragement, presence, and guidance that will best help them and their loved ones to endure this journey with as much peace, love, compassion, and even joy as possible.
As a Reiki Master and energy healer, how do you integrate energy work into your mediumship and end-of-life doula practices? What role does energy healing play in the grieving process?
I strongly feel that all of my services and offerings are ceremonial, sacred, and healing. A mediumship reading is a healing session in its own way; while I am bringing forward validation and messages from Spirit, there are amazing spirit guides providing a high-vibrational healing to the sitter (the person receiving the reading). During end of life support sessions and vigils, it is a common request for me to provide Reiki, and this seems to have a very calming and transformative effect on the person who is labouring towards death. Reiki healing sessions can be very beneficial to those who are grieving, though I find this to be much more so after the initial few weeks and months of early grief, as we need time and space to process what has happened before these sessions.
If anybody is interested in learning more about my services and offerings, please see www.TheSpiritGuidedPath.com or www.ManitobaDeathDoulas.com
