What Is a Death Doula?

A death doula, also known as an end-of-life doula or a death midwife, is a non-medical professional who provides support, guidance, and comfort to individuals who are nearing the end of their lives as well as their families. Similar to birth doulas who assist in childbirth, death doulas assist with the care of those who are nearing the end of their life.

What Does a Death Doula Do?

Most people have likely heard the word doula before, but most likely in the context of a birth–someone who can support a mother physically and emotionally throughout childbirth. A non-medical companion who works alongside a midwife, or even medical staff in a hospital.

Much like a doula who provides caretaking services during the birth of a child, an end of life doula provides similar comforts for someone in palliative care. Their role can encompass a wide range of services, including:

• Emotional and spiritual support
• Assistance with advance care planning
• Providing resources for end-of-life care options
• Helping with legacy projects or final wishes
• Facilitating communication between the dying person and their loved ones
• Offering practical assistance with tasks such as creating vigil plans or coordinating with hospice and other care providers.

Death doulas often approach their work with empathy, compassion, and a deep understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of death and dying. They aim to empower individuals to have a more peaceful and meaningful end-of-life experience, while also supporting their families through the grieving process.

Who Do Death Doulas Work With?

Some examples of individuals who may benefit from an end of life doula include: 

• Anyone nearing the end of their life 
• Someone facing terminal illness, regardless of life expectancy
• People with chronic conditions, or undergoing the natural process of aging
• Individuals who are not necessarily facing imminent death but who want to plan and prepare for the end of life in advance

End of life doulas provide support to people of all ages and backgrounds, and can be an invaluable resource for individuals and families becoming comfortable with the idea of death. 

How Does a Death Doula Fit Into Your End of Life Plan?

In some cases, death doulas may collaborate with other professionals involved in end-of-life care, such as:

• Hospice workers
• Various palliative care providers
• Clergy
• Therapists
• Funeral directors

End of life doulas can be a beacon of hope to help ensure that the needs and preferences of the dying person and their family are met comprehensively.

As an advocate in the funeral and end of life industry, Funeralocity aims to make information accessible about the funeral planning process, as well as aspects that come before and after. In addition to the transparency we bring to funeral  and cremation arrangements, we also strive to engage in conversations around other aspects of the end of someone’s life, so we can put vital information in the hands of consumers. 

In the spirit of educating consumers on how to handle the end of life process, we are also a member of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance. This organization provides resources for EOLDs (End-of-Life Doulas), as well as anyone looking for have a better end-of-life experience–you can read their entire mission statement to learn more about their cause. 

Back to Knowledge Center