Rooted In Hospice Care
For more than thirteen years, we walked beside families through hospice care, seeing close up how heavy the final days can feel. When our founder's own mother died suddenly, that professional knowledge met the reality of juggling work, children, and deep grief. Even with experience, the "after" felt confusing and lonely. That moment revealed a hard truth, many families leave the bedside with love and loss, but without clear direction. Filling the Gap grew from that experience, to offer calm, organized support so families and professionals can move through this time with greater ease and dignity.
A Personal Loss Becomes Purpose
After the unexpected death of the founder's mother, real life showed up fast; work, holiday plans, a husband, children and a full-time job, just to name a few. And just like most jobs she only had three bereavement days. Bills, passwords, belongings, and decisions crowded every spare moment. The support systems she knew so well seemed to stop once the funeral ended. In that difficult season, a clear need emerged for ongoing coordination, not more paperwork. Filling the Gap was created so other families would not have to piece everything together alone while trying to survive each day.
Closing The Missing Middle
Hospitals, hospices, and funeral homes each provide important care, yet there is a wide space between them where families often feel forgotten. We stepped into that space with a simple promise, to provide practical, compassionate coordination tailored to what each family can handle. Our three phase model, Immediate Decedent Coordination, Family Guidance and Support, and Post Funeral Affairs Coordination, gives structure when everything feels scattered. By acting as a steady point of contact, we reduce stress for both families and professionals, so every detail is handled with respect, and every next step feels more manageable.
Donna Rooks-Branch, Owner & Licensed Notary Public
Our founder brings more than thirteen years of hospice experience, both at the bedside and in administration. When her own mother died suddenly, she found herself racing between work, parenting, and a long list of unfinished tasks that did not fit into three bereavement days. That season showed her how alone families can feel once services end, and how powerful calm, organized help can be. As a Licensed Notary Public and experienced coordinator, Donna now uses that hard-earned insight to guide families and professionals through practical steps with clarity, cultural sensitivity, and steady, compassionate presence.
“I started Filling the Gap after realizing three things:
- There is no one around with answers or direction
- There are lots of things that need to be done
- I wished I had help or guidance I also realized that I was good at this stuff, so why can't I help.”