The Importance of Death Doulas in End-of-Life Care

Many people are familiar with birth doulas who support mothers as they bring life into the world, but did you know there are also death doulas who support people who are leaving this world?

According to the International End-of-Life Doula Association, an end-of-life doula is “someone who provides companionship, comfort, and guidance to those planning for death, diagnosed with terminal illness, or facing imminent death.”

Also known as death doulas, death midwives, death coaches and end-of-life coaches, these professionals aren’t medical doctors, nurses or legal professionals. Instead, end-of-life doulas help dying people and their families and caregivers have a better death experience through practical, emotional and spiritual support.

What Does a Death Doula Do?

Death doulas serve the dying and their support people in countless ways. Each death is unique, so a death doula’s support looks different for each dying person. Here are some common ways end-of-life doulas may serve:

• Help with end-of-life planning
• Create a comforting space for death
• Run errands for dying person and support people
• Provide physical comfort to dying person
• Help with communication
• Complement hospice services
• Provide guidance on end-of-life paperwork
• Connect dying person and family with local resources
• Provide respite for caregivers
• Explain the signs and symptoms of the dying process
• Facilitate hard conversations
• Explain options to dying person and loved ones
• Help dying person maintain their autonomy
• Help dying person and loved ones process emotions
• Support spiritual practices
• Help honor and record the dying person’s life and legacy

Most people lack extensive experience with the dying process. Having a professional who specializes in end-of-life care and has encountered a variety of scenarios can significantly reduce the stress of this emotionally challenging time.

How to Hire a Death Doula

As you begin to research death doulas in your area, it’s important to thoroughly assess the qualifications of candidates.

There’s currently no college degree, government certification or mandated test to become a death doula. Instead, there are death doula training programs, but these vastly vary in quality and how in-depth and they are.

Whether you’re hiring a death doula for yourself or a loved one, you want someone who’s qualified and experienced. Ask death doula candidates which organizations they trained with, and research the organizations to see what their training entails. Take time to interview candidates and ask for references.

Related: 6 Reasons Why Long-Term Care Planning Needs to Happen Before a Crisis

Paying for a Death Doula

Death doulas typically aren’t covered by Medicare, Medicaid or long-term care insurance, so it’s an expense that’s typically paid out of pocket by families. If the dying person has life insurance, the death benefits can help pay for a death doula by providing the necessary financial resources to cover the costs associated with their services.  Want more? Check out our blog, 8 Tips For Talking About Final Wishes with Your Loved Ones

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