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What Is the Role of a Death Doula?
An end-of-life doula or death doula (also known as a death midwife or death coach), similarly to a birth doula, is a professional who offers emotional and physical support while […]
An end-of-life doula or death doula (also known as a death midwife or death coach), similarly to a birth doula, is a professional who offers emotional and physical support while guiding one through their transitional event. The end-of-life doula aids and comforts the dying person as well as their loved ones while offering education and guidance about the dying and grief processes. They can also play a valuable role in ensuring their patients’ needs and wishes are met, coordinating with medical providers and/or the hospice team as well as the patient’s family and other people of significance.
Death doulas typically aren’t licensed to provide medical care, and though there aren’t national or state requirements or licenses to become a death doula, most undergo training or certification from various programs. When seeking an end-of-life doula, word of mouth, positive reviews and research can provide valuable insight.
Potential services of an end-of-life doula
Keeping in mind that every doula is as distinct as each dying person and their needs, the ways they serve can vary. However, typical duties can include:
- Talking about death, dying and grief openly and honestly
- Overseeing care along with the hospice/palliative/medical team
- Discussing advance directives or end-of-life planning
- Arranging the look, feel, smell, etc, of the dying person’s environment
- Supporting the dying person’s religion or spirituality with end-of-life rituals or meditations
- Sitting vigil with the dying person during their last moments
- Guiding loved ones through their emotions and grief process
- Assisting with funeral or end-of-life arrangements
An end of life doula can be an invaluable asset in providing truly person-centered end-of-life care, especially if your family chooses to provide natural death care and/or a funeral in your home. To find an end-of-life doula in your area, use this search form provided by the International End-of-Life Doula Association.
Sources
“What an End-of-Life Doula Can Do for You”. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/death-doula
“What is a Doula?” INELDA. https://inelda.org/about-doulas/what-is-a-doula/
