The word “doula” is Greek for servant. Quite like a birth doula supports women in bringing a new life into this world, an end-of-life doula supports a person during the dying process. This is a new non-medical profession that recognizes death as a natural, accepted, integral, and honoured part of life.
End-of-life doulas empower, educate, provide companionship, to people and their families on the sacred journey to the end of life. End-of-life doulas take into account the dying person’s needs, beliefs, and desires and helps the people involved in making decisions so that the dying person actually lives as well as she or he can, till the time they die.
End-of-life doulas serve:
The dying and terminally ill, their families and caregivers so that they are not alone through the dying process.
Individuals, caregivers and families seeking dedicated, consistent and compassionate guidance, support, respite, vigil assistance, or ceremony for their dying loved one.
Individuals needing to process their loss and grief in a safe space.
A person, a family, or a group desirous of a conscious conversation on death.
Groups of people who would like to attend a workshop on the spiritual, emotional, practical, and physical realities of death, loss, grief, and how it can contribute to the celebration of a life.