End-of-Life Doula
The end of one’s physical life is a sacred time, and everyone is entitled to a Good Death. The meaning of Good Death is as individual as one’s fingerprints, and it’s never too early to start planning.
You may be asking yourself, “what, exactly, is a death doula, and why would I want one?” INELDA answers this question well:
“ . . . An end-of-life doula (is) someone who provides companionship, comfort, and guidance to those planning for death, diagnosed with a terminal illness, or facing imminent death. Doulas offer nonmedical holistic support encompassing emotional, spiritual, and practical care. Doulas offer resources to help the dying person and their circle of care to make informed decisions in a supportive environment.
​“Doulas normalize deathcare by creating spaces to hold conversations leading to increased communication and increased spiritual and emotional well being. When individuals plan for death, they have autonomy over their decisions and are able to clearly define their end-of-life wishes with family and loved ones. While there are alternative names for end-of-life doulas like death doula, death midwife, death coach, end-of-life coach—we all seek to provide compassionate deathcare.” (INELDA, 2025, https://inelda.org/about-doulas/what-is-a-doula/)
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I’m grateful to have received my EOL Doula training from INELDA (International End-of-Life Doula Association: https://inelda.org/), shortly after they formed in 2015. The Doula training I received informed and influenced my work as a, then, hospice social worker, and it continues to guide me in my work as a therapist.