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What is an End of Life Doula?

An end of life doula provides a wide variety of compassionate, non-medical assistance with a goal of bringing greater peace to individuals and families who are dealing with the nuances surrounding the process of death or dying. A doula's work can be best summarized in the following:

“We are sensitive and affirming, soothing in our care.

We are not dismissive.

We do not minimize a persons interpretation of what they are undergoing. Through all the ways we doula, we promote empowerment and healing born of processing and bravely facing that which threatens one's sense of intactness.

This healing — not in the sense of a cure, but in the sense of an unbroken soul — generates peace in the face of chaos.”

- Francesca Arnold, Cultivating the Doula Heart: Essentials of Compassionate Care

My calling to become an End of Life Doula stems from a personal responsibility to empower others to become more fluent in the complex dialogue of what it means to exit our physical bodies. This involves helping others become more aware of the choices available and to help you or your loved ones reach the kinds of support you may need and deserve. My goal is to help relieve some of the distress, anticipatory grief and other types of concerns that can often be so difficult, especially when one becomes incapacitated. I have been an ongoing member of the Death Doula Ontario Network since 2020.

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This is how I can help:

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Legacy Work 

Legacy work is about allowing yourself the freedom to explore and reflect on what you or your loved one wants to leave behind. This has nothing to do with writing a will or estate planning, but it can be a meaningful way to connect to your story. Every individual has a meaningful story, in which they bring their own unique wisdom, values, beliefs and various milestones. This type of work focuses on providing the framework to help lead you or your loved through a process of discovery. 

 

Advance Care Planning:

There are numerous benefits to advance care planning. Planning certain aspects of your care minimizes the guesswork for everyone. Starting a conversation about the various choices and options can help you make better decisions for yourself or on behalf of the ones you love. I provide an empathetic, safe space to discuss the complex aspects of death and end of life care. I've included a free resource section that will get you acquainted with some helpful information.

 

Coordinating Resources or Offering Referrals:

I can help you find the tools and resources you may need for different types of care, whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual support. I have a network of referrals who specialize in fields outside of my scope of work, in order to better serve you.

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Holding Hands

Many articles and videos have been made available on mainstream media outlets regarding the benefits of having an end of life doula as part of an end of care plan. Find the stories here.

It is very important to note that an end of life doula does not:

  • Perform medical tasks, provide diagnosis or replace a medical professional or mental health professional's advice. 

  • Conduct funerary services or replace the key activities of a funeral director.

  • Encourage or hasten death, nor do we push an agenda or belief system.

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