Unfortunately, end-of-life doulas are not typically covered by insurance at this time. Please check with your provider for more information.

No, doulas do not give legal or medical advice. In fact, a doula’s purpose is not to advise you about a course of action at all. The goal is to help you find what you value most, implement a plan and connect you with the expert resources you need in any situation.

Though I am trained as a nurse, I am fulfilling the role of a doula. My training informs the care I provide, but I am not operating within the full scope of my nursing education.

Yes, it is never too early to complete end-of-life planning. Regardless of your actual or perceived health status, an end-of-life doula can help coach you through imagining what you would want and/or need in an end-of-life scenario. In case of an unexpected event, having your wishes known provides a degree of peace and reassurance to you and your loved ones. For example, if one’s values or health were to change over time, those wishes, wants and needs can be revisited to meet the current moment.

End-of-life doulas act in a role which is distinct from but complimentary to the care that hospice provides. Hospice provides essential medical care including pain and symptom management. Doula’s provide nonmedical support and work closely with your hospice team to provide personalized care. Together, all members of your team work together to ensure a complete and holistic experience.

Doulas are most commonly known for their work with parents during the birthing process. Birth doulas provide support and companionship during a time filled with emotion and transition. Later, it was realized that this role would be beneficial for people who are at the end of their lives. The title expanded and now includes doulas who provide support to people and their families before, during and after death. End-of-life doulas go by many names including death doula, soul midwife, and end-of-life coach. Regardless of the chosen title, we all strive to provide compassionate and personalized care.

End-of-life doulas provide emotional, educational and practical support throughout the dying process for individuals and their families. Their role is nonmedical and complementary to existing structures. Doulas do not replace anyone on your care team, but instead look to aid in creating cohesive care that is individualized to a person’s needs. We hope to provide comfort and ease by respecting autonomy and agency while providing spaces that normalize the dying process. By treating end-of-life as an aspect of living, doulas hope to serve people who are healthy as well as those facing life altering illness and terminal conditions. Because of this, it is appropriate for an end-of-life doula to be involved at any stage of a person’s life.

Doulas provide care to people of all belief systems. Autonomy and personal beliefs are respected throughout the dying process, recognizing the inherent wisdom of each person and their lived perspective.