An Overview of Death Doulas and Why We Need Them

An Overview of Death Doulas and Why We Need Them
 

Navigating loss, grief, and death is challenging and, more often than not, we’re ill-equipped to meet these inevitable experiences. A death doula can help alleviate additional suffering during these times. 

Many of us have never heard of death doulas, so here is a general overview on what death doulas do and why to integrate them into our lives. 

What is a death doula?

A death doula is a person who provides non-medical support to individuals who are navigating the end-of-life. Death doulas are also known as: end-of-life doulas, death midwives, transition guides, and end-of-life guides. 

Death doulas are not new. All throughout history individuals have cared for and guided others through the dying and death experience. It wasn’t until the early 2000s when the first death doula training programs were established in the US. These certification programs were inspired by the role of birth doulas who provide non-medical support to those experiencing or planning for birth. Death doulas are here to support those who are experiencing or planning for death.

Why do we need death doulas?

 
Throughout time, death and dying typically occurred in a home setting. This intimate and personal caregiving was often paired with many layers of support from family, friends, community, religious and/or spiritual organizations, along with many rituals. It wasn’t until the 20th century with the rise of technology and the development of more end-of-life industries, that dying and death occurred more commonly outside of the home. 

Modern living has revealed how overworked and at times, limited our end-of-life industries can be. This often results in less time to fully support individuals and families who are experiencing or planning for the end of life. It becomes challenging to understand what choices to make and how different industries such as hospitals, palliative care, hospices, nursing homes, estate planners, chaplains, and funeral homes work alongside each other, especially if you’re in the midst of dealing with great loss and grief. This is where death doulas can help demystify and navigate you through the process.


What can death doulas do?

Death doulas are intended to be an additional and complementary form of care and holistic end-of-life support.

Each death doula’s services may vary. Some doulas choose to work only with the dying, others may specialize in helping clients plan and prepare for death, while others may focus solely on assisting individuals after a death occurs. Death doulas can have a specific area of expertise or provide a full range of services. Additionally, each doula may have their own unique qualifications or experiences that may be helpful to your needs.

Here’s a general list of what death doulas may provide. 

• Support, guide and empower individuals and families through various stages of the end-of-life: in health, illness, pre-death, dying, after-death

• Provide holistic and complementary care 

• Inform and advocate for their client’s choices 

• End-of-life planning

• Preparing or wrapping up affairs

• Grief support

• Legacy work

• Vigiling

• Caregiving 

• Rituals 

How to find a death doula. 

You can check out Going With Grace’s Death Doula Directory or do a general Google search. Most death doulas offer free consultations so you can determine if it’s a fitting match for you. 

Closing 

In response to the challenges with the end-of-life and the lack of education and guidance surrounding it – more people want to feel prepared and less fearful as they experience or plan for death. We want to be able to advocate for ourselves and our loved ones while having a better understanding of the choices we have to make. Increasingly, more of us want to care for our dying in a home setting. Others are seeking more ritual, celebration, and alternative memorials. The majority of us simply want to experience more “humanness” to it all.  

We can bridge the medical and non-medical forms of care at the most tender and life-changing moments. Death doulas can help you honor your loved ones and even the end-of-life. By integrating the role of death doulas into modern living, we can take strides towards changing how we live and die. 
 

Please reach out with any questions or book a consultation with me here. 

With care,
Mangda