Memorial traditions
Death Doulas and End of Life Care
You may be wondering what a death doula is — also referred to as an end-of-life coach, soul midwife or transition guide. Much like a midwife assisting the birthing process, a death doula helps in the dying process.
Memory Cremation Urns · 16 June 2021 · 5 min read
What a death doula does
Death doulas are called into care when a patient or family receives a terminal diagnosis. Typically they are a non-medical person trained to care for someone holistically at the end of their life, while also helping families cope with death by recognising it as a natural and essential part of life.
Where the movement came from
While doulas have existed since ancient times, death doulas are a relatively new and emerging movement. One of the first modern programmes started in New York City in 2000 — a volunteer programme later named "Doula to Accompany and Comfort" — pairing doulas with terminally ill people, funded by the Shira Ruskay Center of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services and NYU Medical Center.
Today there is a growing number of organisations offering end-of-life doula services and certification. The movement largely remains unregulated, meaning there is no single certifying body or overarching job description.
The support they offer
Death doulas offer a wide range of spiritual, psychological, social and logistical support, including memorialising, funeral preparation, memorial services, and guiding mourners in their rights and responsibilities. They often have backgrounds in social work, hospice management, nursing, law and business administration.
"There is a lot of medical support in dying, and there's some emotional support as well, but I find that death doulas do a great job of tying it all together and having knowledge of a vast array of subjects," says Alua Arthur, founder of Going with Grace. Ultimately, the care a death doula provides is fitted to each person's goals and needs.
Where to find one
To find a death doula near you or learn more, start with the directories below.
Common questions
- Is a death doula the same as hospice?
- No. Hospice provides medical and nursing care; a death doula is non-medical and focuses on emotional, practical and spiritual support alongside it.
- Are death doulas certified?
- Several organisations train and certify them, but the field is unregulated, so there is no single national credential in the US.
Sources and further reading
- INELDA — International End of Life Doula Association
Directory plus end-of-life tool kits, advance care planning, caregiver and bereavement resources.
- Going with Grace
Death doula services, end-of-life planning and compassionate completions.
- Lifespan Doulas
Organisation that trains and certifies end-of-life doulas.
- NEDA — National End of Life Doula Alliance
Non-profit membership organisation leading the end-of-life doula movement in the USA.
- Reimagine community resources
Online hub of end-of-life resources for people worldwide.
- Doulagivers
Certified end-of-life doulas trained in all three phases of end-of-life care.
- Illustration by Natalia Bzdak — BUST
Source of the illustration used with this post.