Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Death Doula?
A Death Doula, or End of Life Doula, or Death Midwife is a non-medical and holistic practitioner who guides individuals and their families through the dying process by way of presence, support, advocacy, education, and companionship. Just as birth doulas support mothers birthing a new life, a death doula supports individuals leaving this life into the next.
How are they paid?
EOLDs are compensated for their services in varying ways. Some are paid by the hour, some offer a sliding scale, and some make other arrangements depending on the types of services provided, whether they are on-call, staying overnight, traveling great distances, or other concerns. In most cases, the individual or family contracts directly with the EOLD; however, as more and more hospice and palliative care organizations are utilizing doulas, this may vary. At this time, we know of no third-party reimbursement for EOL doula care.
How do EOLDs train?
Many EOLDs obtain their training through an EOLD training program, of which there are many in the US and elsewhere. Some training programs are offered online, some are solely in-person, and some are a hybrid of both approaches. In addition, some EOLDs have obtained their training through other end-of-life-related educational offerings, hospice volunteer training, or through practical experience by serving in their community for years or by working in other related professions.
Why would I need a Death Doula?
Death Doulas are a calming and reassuring presence with knowledge of the death process and a compassionate resource for families who may be overwhelmed and grieving at the impending death of their loved one. Death Doulas offer a variety of services to assist in the transition of dying but are first and foremost a grounding, reliable, knowledgeable, and comforting presence during a most emotional time.
How are you different from what hospice offers?
We highly recommend every individual and family facing a terminal illness and end of life to call their local hospice as soon as possible. Though our doula services do not replace hospice's medical team of nursing and physician care, we complement hospice teams seamlessly. We offer more time, more personalized attention, more continuity at bedside, more advocacy, and more availability beyond what hospice is normally able to provide due to Medicare guidelines. Our extensive training exceeds what hospice volunteer programs provide as each of us have faced in depth our fears and emotions around death. We are trained and practiced to be with intense and difficult emotions. Our full-time presence and companionship at vigil and at death, our advocacy in hospitals or at home, our coaching to customize end-of-life care plans for spiritual, physical, practical and life review needs, and most of all, our consistent relationships with our clients are not a service offered anywhere else.
When should I contact a Death Doula?
Death Doulas can be contacted at any time during the end of life process. The sooner the doula can enter into the process, the more time can be spent getting to know the individual and family, creating quality care plans, prioritizing end of life needs, and creating sacred space and meaning for the individual and family.