What is a death doula?
Death can be a difficult subject to face, and something people may have little experience dealing with first hand. Sometimes we aren’t really sure where to start.
A death doula (sometimes called an end-of-life doula or a death midwife) is someone who helps people and their families prepare for, and navigate, the process of dying.
It is a very social role, emphasising dying as an important and natural part of life. A doula may act as an advocate, an adviser or a companion – providing support during, after and perhaps long before someone’s final breaths.
What does a death doula do?
As a person-centred role in a constantly changing society, the practice of a death doula needs to put the client and their family first.
Broadly speaking, death doulas today offer two types of support (examples only):
Information & Guidance:
- Advice on types (and legality) of end-of-life choices, such as funerals, burials and cremations
- Support with death-planning admin, such as completing an ‘advance directive’ or ‘living will’
- Signposting to other death-related professionals, such as celebrants, solicitors etc.
Personal Support:
- Advocacy and emotional support for a dying person, their family, and their needs and wishes
- Assistance with ‘death cleaning’, or figuratively getting one’s house in order
- Helping families support a dying person’s requests, pre- and post-mortem
Whether you’re interested in our services or just have questions you don’t know who to ask, we’d love for you to Get in Touch.
