What Is An End Of Life Doula?
Most of us hear the term doula we automatically think about a woman who assists
in the birthing process. The word 'doula' itself comes from the Greek word meaning
"woman helping another woman."
Today, there is the emergence of a new health professional,
a different type of doula who provides end of life care in a similar manner to birth doulas.
They are called death doulas, doulas for the dying, end of life doulas, death midwives or
spiritual midwives. Their purpose is to be with the dying until death. They are there to assist
the passage from this world to the next.
Doulas provide a loving and nurturing support with their approach to death
and the dying process. They are in service to both the dying and their family in many ways.
Doulas provide support, spiritual care, education and friendship. Doulas are a hub of resources
since the family can quickly become lost trying to tackle the endless end of life planning. They bring
comforting energy and normalcy to the dying process, as well as ritual and ceremony to
assist in opening and also closing the doors as the dying person makes their transition.
End of life doulas reprocess the death with the friends and family of the departed, holding space for their
grieving and lovingly guiding them though the process.
A doula does not judge feelings, responses or behaviors. A doula opens the doors for moments of understanding, appreciation, healing and even transformation.
End of life doulas compliment care from hospitals, senior-care facilities and hospices,
as well as fill in gaps that occur during the dying process. This work is quickly gaining
popularity as we are understanding that the dying process holds so much more wisdom
that we have been taught. People who are drawn to doulas at the end of life have a deep
understanding that life and death have a place to be processed and witnessed with sacredness and
compassion. They recognize that the dying process is not a medical event, but a spiritual transformation
that has many ways to be honored more intentionally.
in the birthing process. The word 'doula' itself comes from the Greek word meaning
"woman helping another woman."
Today, there is the emergence of a new health professional,
a different type of doula who provides end of life care in a similar manner to birth doulas.
They are called death doulas, doulas for the dying, end of life doulas, death midwives or
spiritual midwives. Their purpose is to be with the dying until death. They are there to assist
the passage from this world to the next.
Doulas provide a loving and nurturing support with their approach to death
and the dying process. They are in service to both the dying and their family in many ways.
Doulas provide support, spiritual care, education and friendship. Doulas are a hub of resources
since the family can quickly become lost trying to tackle the endless end of life planning. They bring
comforting energy and normalcy to the dying process, as well as ritual and ceremony to
assist in opening and also closing the doors as the dying person makes their transition.
End of life doulas reprocess the death with the friends and family of the departed, holding space for their
grieving and lovingly guiding them though the process.
A doula does not judge feelings, responses or behaviors. A doula opens the doors for moments of understanding, appreciation, healing and even transformation.
End of life doulas compliment care from hospitals, senior-care facilities and hospices,
as well as fill in gaps that occur during the dying process. This work is quickly gaining
popularity as we are understanding that the dying process holds so much more wisdom
that we have been taught. People who are drawn to doulas at the end of life have a deep
understanding that life and death have a place to be processed and witnessed with sacredness and
compassion. They recognize that the dying process is not a medical event, but a spiritual transformation
that has many ways to be honored more intentionally.
