Change, conflict, and transformation are inevitable. They can also be the times we feel most alone. We all deserve to move through the hardest parts of our life with relational and practical support.

I believe this in my bones. And yet, as a person providing these services I need to make a living, which means charging money for my work. If I price honestly and at a living rate, some people will not be able to access my services, not because they don’t need them, or want them, but because they can’t afford them.

I use a sliding scale to help manage this dilemma.

A sliding scale encourages people to pay according to the resources they have available. When people with more resources pay at higher rates, it helps keep the work sustainable while maintaining accessibility.

• The Standard Rate is my market rate. It’s an honest reflection of what it takes to do this work in the Bay Area of California, and its value despite a system that consistently undervalues care work.

• The Sustaining Rate exists because some of us can afford to contribute to the conditions that make this work available to more people. If that's you, I'm grateful.

• The Community Rate exists because access to this kind of relational support at the end of life should not be reserved for the financially comfortable.

The pricing sections for specific offerings include descriptions about what a personal financial experience might typically look like at each level, to help you make a decision. They’re not exhaustive, and you don’t have to check them off like a list in order to “qualify” for a rate.

My pricing model is trust-based. I don’t verify your income or assets, or police the rate you choose. All I ask is that you choose the rate that most honestly reflects your financial means.

I understand that the concept of “financial means” can be slippery in the context of deep change. For example, if you’ve just lost your livelihood or received a serious diagnosis, you may not know yet what your financial picture will look like. That's okay. Choose the rate that feels honest today, and know that we can revisit it if your situation changes. If you’re really stumped, or the rates shown are absolutely not accessible to you, reach out and we’ll talk about it together.

I want to acknowledge that even with a sliding scale, access issues still exist. There will be people for whom the Community Rate is unachievable. Also, a Community Rate doesn’t open access for folks experiencing other barriers, such as those who don’t speak English, and those who wouldn't trust a stranger with their most vulnerable moments. I’m continuing to work on access issues as part of my commitment to building a world that centers kinship, solidarity and equity. If you have solutions to suggest or want to talk about alternatives, please do reach out.

Many thanks to Alexis J. Cunningfolk, Britt Hawthorne, and Jess Serrante, whose approaches to sliding scales deeply informed my own.