People who are seriously ill or approaching the end of their lives, along with those who are caring for them, can often benefit from the additional resource of an End of Life (EOL) Doula. The EOL Doula, sometimes called a Death Doula or Death Midwife, can accompany them along the way and offer an extra layer of advocacy, companionship, and education, based on the individual needs and wishes of those being served. The EOL Doula will attend to nonmedical needs and is a supplement to the “team” of physicians, nurses, hospice staff or members of faith, who may already be involved. Following a death, an EOL Doula can also assist loved ones with processing and coping with the loss. Having additional certification in grief counseling adds another layer of expertise.
Providing a compassionate presence, while supporting and honoring those who are dying and the loved ones who are left behind, is the foundation of this work.
READ: End of Life doulas bridge a gap for the dying
READ: What Are End of Life Doulas, by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
READ: ‘Death Doulas’ Provide Aid at the End of Life
READ: How This End-of-Life Doula Helps People Have a More Meaningful — and Beautiful — Death
Six guiding principles of the doula model of care
Non-medical support ~ Doulas refrain from performing any clinical or medicalized tasks.
Non-judgmental support ~ The doula does not impose her/his values on the client such as acting on biases in favor of one method.
Family-centered approach ~ The individual and their family form the unit of care. Doulas do not take the place of partners, family members or other care providers.
Holistic care ~ Doulas recognize the biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects of the whole person and provide services in the context of this understanding.
Empowerment ~ Doulas promote informed decision-making and foster maximum self-determination for the individual and family.
Team members ~ Doulas are team players with a special role.
Excerpted from Brennan, P, (2019) The Doula Business Guide: How to Succeed as a Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula; 3rd Edition, DreamStreet Press, Ann Arbor MI.