Death Doulas Offer Powerful Support During Death and Bereavement artwork
The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Death Doulas Offer Powerful Support During Death and Bereavement

  • S8E12
  • 47:39
  • October 20th 2023

An End of Life Doula is a great source of support for someone as they die, and for families after the death has occurred. Anna Adams, End of Life Doula and founder of International Doula Life Movement believes everyone should have a doula. Through vigils, education, rituals, and compassionate presence, doulas help dispel the fear that can come during a death. When someone is dying, an End of Life Doula can offer individualized support that’s a good fit for the patient and caregiver. While the dying process can be very similar for most people, each person’s labor of dying is a unique set of processes and symptoms. Doulas teach families and caregivers what to expect when someone is dying, and how to provide care to ease symptoms that might be distressing. When a family or patient wants someone knowledgeable at the bedside, a doula might provide vigil care. A vigil involves the doula being present and watchful while the death is occurring. The doula’s role doesn’t stop there; there’s additional grief support after the death has occurred.  

Want to know more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work? Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com. 

If you’re interested in becoming a certified death doula through IDLM, click here.

Access all the courses that IDLM provides here.

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The Heart of Hospice Podcast

The Heart of Hospice podcast is dedicated to helping personal and professional caregivers who are caring for someone with serious illness. We're here to provide information and education so people can make informed choices about end of life care.