What is a death doula?

Death Doulas help you have a "good death".

“Dying a good death”, chances are you’ve heard of such a thing … it truly is possible, for us all.

Death Doulas provide compassionate care to a dying person, as well as their loved ones, and can be categorized into Four Domains of Care:

• Death Planning - help with decision making in getting affairs in order

• Legacy Projects - provide ideas and help with creating a special legacy to leave for loved ones

• Sitting Vigil - being present at the bedside during the final hours of a person’s life

• Grief Support - provide guidance and support to the person dying and their loved ones

Death Doulas facilitate difficult conversations about dying and death, which helps create a sense of normalcy around a topic that is uncomfortable for many people. They bring families closer together during a very emotional time. They bring care to the place you call home, and provide support before, during, and after death.

Dying is just as natural as being born, and like birth, death too can be a beautiful experience. In western culture most people fear death. We spend most of our lives running away from death and ignoring it, until it hits us close to home.

As a Reiki Practitioner and Certified HHA Death Doula, I have always been very compassionate towards others. I am proud to be a part of a movement that changes the way our society views death and brings peace and comfort to many.

With the shortage of doctors and our declining medical system a Death Doula helps fill in the gaps that exist in end-of-life care. My goal is to help strengthen the relationships between medical and non-medical workers, by supporting and working with them as part of a team.

Death work focuses on mind, body and soul and complements the work of other professionals - such as doctors, therapists, and caregivers. By working together with health care providers in my community I hope to create a more complete and unified support system. I also help families who are struggling with the availability to care for their dying loved one - relieving a great burden and providing stress relief during a very difficult time.

My role is to help dying individuals define and experience what a good death looks like, for them.