09/05/2025
An end-of-life doula, also known as a death doula or death midwife, provides non-medical, holistic support to individuals and their families during the final stages of life.
Here are the five main roles they typically fulfill:
💚Emotional Support
End-of-life doulas offer compassionate companionship and emotional support to both the dying person and their loved ones.
They provide a safe space for expressing fears, concerns, and feelings about death and dying, helping to alleviate anxiety and stress during this difficult time.
💚Practical Assistance
Doulas assist with practical matters, such as helping with advance care planning, organizing important documents, and coordinating care with other professionals like hospice workers.
They might also help with household tasks, transportation, or arranging for services like meals or home care.
💚Education and Advocacy
They educate families about the dying process, what to expect, and how to provide care.
This includes explaining medical procedures, symptom management, and legal rights.
Doulas also advocate for the wishes of the dying person, ensuring their preferences for end-of-life care are respected and followed.
💚Vigil and Presence
End-of-life doulas can provide continuous support during the active dying phase, often staying with the person to offer comfort and ensure they do not die alone.
This vigil support can include physical presence, holding hands, playing soothing music, or simply being there silently.
💚Legacy and Life Review
Doulas assist in creating a meaningful closure for the dying person and their family.
This can involve facilitating life review conversations, helping to record personal stories, creating memory books, or organizing legacy projects that reflect the individual’s life and values.
By fulfilling these roles, end-of-life doulas help to create a more dignified, peaceful, and personalized experience for those approaching the end of life, and provide much-needed support to their loved ones.
Send us a message today to learn more about our Sage Solutions end-of-life doula services.