What Death Doulas do:
Our primary gift is our ability to be a grounding and supportive presence for individuals and their families during a deeply intense and emotional time. Our guidance brings comfort and advocacy to the dying, and our knowledge and support allow families to focus on grieving, take breaks, let go, and to spend quality time loving and honoring their loved one. Our presence offers steadfast assurance, comfort, and companionship when death arrives.
Our services can begin at any stage of the end-of-life process and continue through death. Doulas can guide and instruct the family in after-death care if requested. We can offer more customized services the sooner we know an individual and family, but we are flexible in meeting your needs. Every End of Life Doula offers something different from each other with varying expertise. Please make sure you read the bios, as well as note where they are based.
PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to be actively dying to talk to or work with an End of Life Doula. Sometimes a simple conversation discussing the fear around death can invite new shifts in how we live our daily lives. For this reason, phone appointments are a wonderful way to discuss with a Doula what you seek. Please contact a Doula for further information.
Skills and Services:
Advance Care Planning and Paperwork
Providing support, education, and advocacy for the individual and family
Being available to the family as needed and when needed
Conversation and planning on end-of-life meaning, goals, intentions
Bedside care planning, After-death care guidance and education
Creating and/or collaborating with individuals and families to make meaningful ceremonies or rituals
Vigil during active dying
Grief and bereavement support
Respite, errands, light housework assistance, driving to appointments
Assistance with Life Review or Legacy projects
Assistive comfort measures such as light hand and foot massage, guided imagery, and guided breathing techniques for relaxation
Collaboration with the hospice team
Referral resources and collaboration for additional services such as Threshold Choir, energy work, acupressure, massage, etc.
Assistance in helping make this transition for the individual as comfortable as possible.
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Please note: Death doulas are non-medical and holistic practitioners, and do not facilitate death. Our primary function is to be in support of and be alongside, individuals in their final transition and release from their physical body.