What is an end-of-life (or, death) doula?
“The doula’s commitment is to the entire unit of care, which involves the dying person and their self-identified circle of care. The doula’s primary commitment is to the dying person, and to support and recognize the dying person’s autonomy. The doula’s role may also include support for those in the circle of care. These principles are paramount when offering support.” (INELDA, Code of Ethics) https://inelda.org/about-doulas/inelda-code-of-ethics/
Duties and services I can perform or assist with as an end of life doula
Providing compassionate supportive care to my clients and their loved ones through:
- Accompanying them on their end-of-life journey which include:
- Holding space for difficult feelings, acknowledging them, and sitting with them with you.
- Education about end-of-life symptoms. Spiritual support that supplements but does not take the place of what you may be receiving from a hospice team and/or community clergy (due to my background as a board-certified chaplain, if this type of support is desired)Being a non-judgmental presence.
- Therapeutic touch, with informed consent—such as holding someone’s hand, rubbing their back, etc.
- Caregiver support, which can be agreed upon household tasks such as running errands, emotional/spiritual support.
- Legacy work—assisting with writing letters to loved ones, collecting photos to put into a photo album, finger prints and hand molds, other creative, tangible ways we can co-create as ways you would like to be remembered.
- Assisting with getting affairs in order—advanced directives, HCPOA, coordinating with contacting funeral home for final arrangements (hospice agencies typically would be ones to notify funeral home when families are ready, this would involve providing support in contacting funeral homes and offering resources on choosing a funeral home)
- Funeral or Memorial service planning and facilitation as a funeral celebrant.
- Other end-of-life rituals
- End-of-life (Post-mortem) body care (according to state regulations)
tandard of care/code of ethics
Standard of Care and Code of Ethics
I will hold myself to a high standard of care that includes:
- Compassionate accompaniment of people at end of life
- Justice and Advocacy oriented
- Spiritually and religiously respectful and supportive
- Anti-racist
- Decolonial
- Multiculturally aware
- Trauma-informed
- Prioritizing autonomy and agency of the care receiver
- Empowering patients and their circle of care to make the best decisions for their own lives and deaths with:
- Dignity
- Informed consent
- Care that is individualized and communal
- Transparency about services I can and cannot provide
- Queer and trans inclusive
- Disability oriented
- Protecting privacy and information of my clients and their loved ones
- Open and direct communication
- Financially Transparent and Legally Compliant
“Doulas have a duty to care for others and do no harm.
- Doulas keep the highest standards of practice and conduct at the forefront of all services provided.
- Doulas treat others with the highest level of dignity and respect.
- Doulas take great care in communicating when collaborating with other EOL professionals.” (NEDA, Code of Ethics) https://nedalliance.org/for-doulas/code-of-ethics/
Every person’s end-of-life journey is theirs, and it is a privilege to be alongside them on the journey. It is also a part of my role, I believe, to advocate for what they want, including if/when that means going against what a loved one or family member might want for them.
Additionally, if a client’s death plan includes something I’m uncomfortable with, or don’t have experience with, it is my duty to inform them of that discomfort or inexperience upfront so that they can make the best decision for themselves.
Continuing Education
Additionally, I commit to continuing education about current end-of-life doula practices, staying current with my own training and education.
Conflicts of Interest
If I don’t have the answer or there is as conflict, I commit to seeking additional resources including:
- Consulting with other hospice providers, with consent of my care receivers
- Consulting with other death doulas
- If there is a conflict of interest, or conflicts that arise between myself and my clients, I am committed to working towards a resolution, including assisting with finding another death doula provider.
