Your absence has gone through me Like thread through a needle. Everything I do is stitched with its color.
—Separation, by W. S. Merwin
What is an End Of Life Doula?
An end of life doula is an individual who provides emotional, spiritual and practical support for someone who wants to attend to their end of life proactively or for someone who is immediately facing a terminal illness. End of life doulas are also called death doulas, death midwives, end of life coaches or guides. In ideal cases, the doula serves both the dying person and their family. For example, doulas may be engaged to provide support with advanced care directives, life review and meaning making, crafting rituals to honor important moments, remembering or legacy projects, caregiving relief and end of life education. While doulas do not provide medical support, they do collaborate with palliative care and hospice teams to ensure holistic support for the client/patient. Working with a doula brings peace and ease to this important, sacred moment.
What kind of person makes a great Doula?
When faced with a major medical incident or terminal diagnosis, navigating the medical and legal systems can become confusing and overwhelming. A great doula will be someone who brings calm and compassion to every meeting. This person will also be humble, unbiased, courageous and curious. Ultimately, the most important person served by a talented doula is the dying person, and that person should always feel they are being served holistically—that their emotional, spiritual and practical needs are being met. A gifted doula will help their client know they are seen and heard—that their wishes are being honored and they have agency in their own, unique end of life process.
Feel more peaceful as you ready for this final threshold crossing … Knowing that you, your family, friends and loved ones are well supported, that you have attended to your wishes, spoken your love and celebrated your unique, incredible life.