What is a Death Doula? What do they do?
A Death Doula is not a home health aid and generally does not do any hands-on care (e.g. bathing, toileting, feeding, etc). If the Doula wants to help with any of these duties, that is up to their discretion. As a previous CNA and home health aid, I am comfortable providing hands-on care with my clients. Primarily, a Doula is there to be a companion to the dying and their loved ones. There are many other ways in which comfort and support is provided as a Doula that traditional caregivers do not provide:
Holding Space
The Doula is a supportive presence and is there to “hold the space” for the dying patient and their loved ones in order to decrease as much stress as possible. The Doula may also suggest interventions for comfort to the family and medical staff (e.g. hospice care). The Doula is trained in all 3 phases of end-of-life and knows what interventions to suggest to increase comfort. The Doula may also help facilitate unresolved issues that may arise by being a great listener and a channel for healing energy that helps restore balance and harmony with the mind-body-and-spirit.
Planning
Advanced Directives: If they are not already done, the Doula helps the patient create this legal document that will express the patients’ wishes for health care and pick a healthcare proxy. Planning the Vigil: Help the patient and family plan how they’d like the last 24-48 hours of the person’s life to be and who they would like to be there. End-of-Life Planning: Help the patient and family with planning the wake/funeral, life-celebration, etc. Writing the Obituary/Eulogy: Help the patient write their own obituary and/or assist the family write their eulogy.
Support Throughout
The Doula supports the client and loved ones and will walk them through this experience. The Doula may help the patient create remembrances such as documenting their meaningful life stories to leave behind for their loved ones. This may be done with writing, recording, videotaping, songs, etc. The Doula will stay with them after the loved one has passed, and will share grieving skills and healing tools to help honor the loss and celebrate the spirit of the deceased.
Death Doula LV 