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The work of a death doula can begin at any point in a person’s life, but most often people seek help after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, as they approach the final days of life, or after the death of a loved one — for support in grieving.
A death doula supports individuals and their loved ones through the process of dying, providing emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance.
When the human in me meets the human in you
The Motto of Death Doula Work
When the human in me meets the human in you
The Motto of Death Doula Work
The work of a death doula can begin at any point in a person’s life, but most often people seek help after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, as they approach the final days of life, or after the death of a loved one — for support in grieving.
A death doula supports individuals and their loved ones through the process of dying, providing emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance.
- Accompanies individuals and their families through the process of dying.
- Supports individuals in their journey of grieving a loss.
- Explores the meaning of life and helps prepare legacies for oneself or elderly or dying relatives.
- Offers attentive presence at the bedside of the dying.
- Provides an open and honest space to discuss death.
- Assists in preparing an end-of-life plan.
- Offers practical support to the loved ones of a deceased person.
- Creates a non-judgmental space for clients to express any emotions, thoughts, or experiences.
- Explains the signs and symptoms of dying.
- Helps with physical care, allowing the loved ones of the dying to rest.
- Supports all participants in spiritual practices.
- Assists in organizing funerals and farewell rituals.
- Provides guidance in revisiting and processing past losses and transitions (such as job changes, divorce, relocation, or the arrival of children) from any period of life.
- Works with fear of death.
- Combines traditions and new rituals to mark the transition from life to death.
What does a death doula do?
What does a death doula do?
- Accompanies individuals and their families through the process of dying.
- Supports individuals in their journey of grieving a loss.
- Explores the meaning of life and helps prepare legacies for oneself or elderly or dying relatives.
- Offers attentive presence at the bedside of the dying.
- Provides an open and honest space to discuss death.
- Assists in preparing an end-of-life plan.
- Offers practical support to the loved ones of a deceased person.
- Creates a non-judgmental space for clients to express any emotions, thoughts, or experiences.
- Explains the signs and symptoms of dying.
- Helps with physical care, allowing the loved ones of the dying to rest.
- Supports all participants in spiritual practices.
- Assists in organizing funerals and farewell rituals.
- Provides guidance in revisiting and processing past losses and transitions (such as job changes, divorce, relocation, or the arrival of children) from any period of life.
- Works with fear of death.
- Combines traditions and new rituals to mark the transition from life to death.
When to seek help from a death doula
People turn to death doulas for moral, physical, and spiritual support during life’s most vulnerable and challenging moments — dying and grieving. This support helps explore and find an authentic path at the end of life, understand near-death processes, and engage more consciously with the dying and grieving.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
If you experience fear of death.
If you are experiencing a loss: the death of a loved one, divorce, separation, relocation, loss of a familiar way of life, job loss, career change, loss of meaning, loss of a pet, or perinatal loss.
If you feel the need to explore your relationship with death.
What does a doula session look like?
The format of a doula session depends on the client’s request. Sessions can be conducted online or in-person and typically last 1 to 1.5 hours. During these sessions, the doula and the client explore the client’s most important questions.
Another format is bedside attendance, where the doula stays continuously by the dying person’s side for an extended period. In some cases, a team of doulas may work with the client.
Another format is bedside attendance, where the doula stays continuously by the dying person’s side for an extended period. In some cases, a team of doulas may work with the client.
We do not prescribe how to die or grieve, but instead offer the freedom of choice: things can be different
Just as none of us need a degree to be genuinely interested in and compassionate toward others.
Anyone, regardless of gender or background, can become a doula. For example, Henry Fersko-Weiss, a former hospice volunteer, is the founder of the International End-of-Life Doula Association and a pioneer of the death doula movement.
A death doula does not require a medical or psychological education
Anyone, regardless of gender or background, can become a doula