About Here/After Deathcare

Here/After provides holistic, non-medical emotional, and practical support to individuals and families facing death, including care during the dying process and bereavement support afterward. Here/After’s mission is to redefine how we meet the end of life, offering a new way to approach death and dying.

Who I Am

Hi, I’m AJ Motia. I’m a death educator, thanatologist, end-of-life doula, and grief companion. At the heart of my work is a simple belief: we deserve more honest conversations, better understanding, and well-rounded support when it comes to death and dying.

Before entering the deathcare space, I spent years as a brand storyteller and higher education instructor, helping people make sense of complex ideas and connecting with them through meaningful narratives. Today, I bring that same clarity and care into this work, creating space for conversations that are often avoided but deeply needed.

Like everyone, I’ve experienced loss. But more than any single moment, I’ve always felt a pull to show up for people in difficult times. I’m often the one others turn to in moments of uncertainty or crisis—someone who can offer a calm, grounded presence alongside practical guidance.

I believe that understanding death can help us live with intention and meaning. My role is not to have all the answers but to walk alongside—to listen, guide, and help people feel a little more steady in the face of the unknown.

Education + Training

  • Graduate Thanatology Studies — Edgewood University (current student)

  • End-of-Life Doula certificate — University of Vermont

  • Grief and Bereavement Specialist certificate — University of Vermont

  • M.A., Professional Communication — Purdue University

  • B.S., English: Professional Writing — Ball State University

  • + a commitment to continuing education to stay current on latest trends, technology, laws, and other information

Professional Affiliations

Disclaimer

My role as a thanatologist and death doula is to offer emotional, educational, and practical support to individuals and families before, during, and after death. Any information provided on this website or through services is for informational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professionally licensed medical, legal, or funeral services.