End of Life Doula
What is an End-of-Life Doula?
An end-of-life doula is someone who provides companionship, comfort, and guidance to those planning for death, diagnosed with a terminal illness, or facing imminent death. Doulas offer nonmedical holistic support encompassing emotional, spiritual, and practical care. Doulas offer resources to help the dying person and their circle of care to make informed decisions in a supportive environment.
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Some of the ways I work with people include:
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Providing end-of-life care planning that provides the best possible conditions for comfort and peace
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Exploring the meaning of your life through a life review
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Developing a plan for how you would like the physical space and environment to be during your final days and hours
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Facilitating the processing of emotions and experiences with loved ones including unfinished business, regrets and forgiveness
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Teaching breathing, relaxation, meditation and guided imagery processes to support the dying process
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Supporting the spiritual/religious practices of all involved and incorporating ritual where appropriate
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Guiding you and your loved ones through the early stages of grieving
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Helping you to understand the signs and symptoms of the dying process
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Developing rituals to mark important milestones
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End of Life Vigil planning
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Supporting loved ones and caregivers to understand how best to support you
A doula can become involved any time in a person’s life. They offer support when people are impacted by a life changing illness, after a terminal diagnosis, when death is imminent, or even after a death—to help with light grief support. Sometimes family members or loved ones of the person dying seek support and guidance from an end-of-life doula.
Doulas normalize deathcare by creating spaces to hold conversations leading to increased communication and increased spiritual and emotional wellbeing. When individuals plan for death, they have autonomy over their decisions and are able to clearly define their end-of-life wishes with family and loved ones. While there are alternative names for end-of-life doulas like death doula, death midwife, death coach, end-of-life coach—we all seek to provide compassionate deathcare.
[Source: International End of Life Doula Association]
In letting go
there is gain.
In giving up
There is advancement.
Do not practice controlling.
Practice allowing.
Such is the mystery of happiness.
Such is the mystery of living and dying.
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- The Tao of Dying