End-of-life doulas serve people by providing physical, emotional, and informational support to their clients and families before, during, and shortly after death. Helping them to achieve the most satisfying experience possible. 

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Death doula support is holistic. Holistic care is support that goes beyond the physical needs of a person but also considers their emotional, social, and (possibly) spiritual needs.

End-of-life doulas educate and empower the dying and their families on their end-of-life care, funeral, and burial options. They may introduce or help a dying individual walk through the steps of creating a living will or advanced care directives. After those documents are completed, the doula may help advocate for the dying’s end-of-life decisions, especially when they are no longer able to voice those wishes themselves.

 

A death doula can provide a variety of support options, including: Identifying the needs/preferences of the family. Providing respite care. Discussing end-of-life planning, such as advanced care directives, vigils, after-death body care, funeral planning and memorial services.

 

Death Doulas stand in a position to empower people to make decisions while they still can, to consider what a “good death” looks like to them, and then help advocate for those wishes at the end.

 

Death Doulas have an important and rewarding career helping people face death with a little less fear and a little more love.

A death doula, also known as an end-of-life doula, is a support person who provides nonjudgmental, non-medical holistic support to those nearing the end of life. A death doula also typically offers support to the friends and family of the elderly, dying, or recently dead. End-of-life doulas may serve…

• the elderly (possibly for years before their death is due for arrival)

• the terminally ill, at any age

• the grieving, those who have lost or are about to say goodbye to a loved one

• those facing the loss of a pet or beloved animal

• those not near death but who want to wrestle with and confront their mortality now

• those looking to practically plan for their end-of-life care and final burial or funeral, at any age, regardless of health status

End-of-life doulas hope to bring comfort and peace to the very last seconds of every person’s time in this world.

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What exactly does a death doula do?

Dying can be a long process with many stages, both for the dying person and their loved ones. Death doulas can help at multiple parts of the end-of-life process. Their work is often broken down into three main phases:

• Planning: As death approaches, death doulas can help the dying person find meaning in their life and plan for their death.

• Dying: Death doulas can ensure that the person is comfortable and that their wishes are being carried out. 

• Grieving: Death doulas can help in the immediate time after death as family members begin to process grief. They can also help carry out logistical needs.

What services does a death doula provide for patients?

A death doula’s primary goal is to support the needs of the dying person. This may include:

• Talking with the person about dying and helping them identify their wishes

• Helping the dying person plan for what they want after their death, such as what they want done with their remains or what type of memorial service they want

• Explaining how dying may feel and what symptoms they may experience

• Helping the dying person find meaning in their life and leave a legacy, such as by sharing memories, writing down stories, or writing letters

• Designing the physical space for death, including decorations, sounds, and smells

• Encouraging loved ones to provide touch and affection to the dying person

• Providing spiritual support or leading rituals

What services does a death doula provide for family members?

Sometimes, the best thing for the dying person may be to help family members. A death doula can provide a lot of support for loved ones. This may include:

• Organizing the physical space for the dying person

• Providing logistical support

• Taking over caregiver duties to let other caregivers rest

• Helping plan for remains or memorial services

• Helping loved ones understand the signs of death and what symptoms the person may be experiencing

• Supporting loved ones in providing love and affection to the dying person

• Helping wash and dress the deceased

• Providing spiritual support

• Helping loved ones process grief and loss

• Helping loved ones identify how to continue the legacy of the dying person

How is a death doula different from hospice or palliative care?

Death doulas are different from hospice or palliative care because they do not provide medical care or participate in physician-assisted death. Hospice or palliative care will provide medical services, including medical evaluations and medications for comfort and pain. 

Death doulas spend a lot of time with the dying person and their loved ones. They provide hands-on logistical, emotional, and spiritual support. 

Is a death doula part of hospice care?

Death doulas provide different services from hospice, but some hospices may have death doulas on their teams. You may find a death doula through a hospice program, or you may find one independent from hospice.

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The bottom line

Death doulas help with the transition at the end of life through death. They provide support to the dying person and their loved ones. While they don’t provide medical care, death doulas provide many additional important services. This can include emotional, physical, and spiritual support — in addition to much-needed caregiver respite and logistical assistance.

 

A peaceful transition to death

End-of-life transitions are as personal and unique as the life lived. 

“The transition from this physical realm to whatever you believe the next realm is, is a sacred space out of time,” “There are as many different ways to experience this sacred space as there are individuals.

I see myself as a bridge, a bridge that is just there and ready when you are to use it to continue your soul’s journey.” 

You may not choose when you die, but you can take ownership of what comes after. While a death doula can guide you peacefully through life’s final moments, pre-planning your memorial brings its own kind of comfort. Many clients say making end-of-life plans empowered them to make decisions that brought them peace and helped them feel good about the legacy they would leave for loved ones.