A death doula is something you may not have heard of. A death doula offers care at the opposite end of life, whereas a birth doula supports women throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Their objectives are the same whether they go by the names end-of-life doula, death midwife, transition guide, soul midwife, or death coach. They aim to offer emotional and spiritual support at a very sensitive and important moment.

Although the notion of a death doula is not new, as more individuals become aware of the options available for end-of-life assistance, the movement is growing in popularity. Patients who are nearing death and their families might find solace, tranquility, and certainty under the care of a doula.

How A Death Doula Assists Clients And Their Families

Families often avoid talking about death and dying because they might be taboo subjects. Family members are thus emotionally unprepared to undertake difficult talks regarding a person’s end-of-life preferences when a loved one falls unwell. An end-of-life doula takes an empathic approach to these circumstances, assisting families in coming together to have honest discussions and make sure that absolutely nothing is left unsaid. This helps the bereaved family recover by giving the dying patient some serenity and giving them closure.

A death doula may carry out a variety of duties, but their primary goal is to provide patients and bereaved families with non-medical care. Here are some useful services that doulas could offer a patient as they approach death:

  1. Patients who have companionship and a secure setting to discuss what they think happens after death are better able to adjust to this new stage of life.
  2. Help with documentation related to death, such as medical directives, wills, listing accounts, and compiling internet passwords.
  3. Creates an end-of-life plan with the patient; because midwives get to know their clients well, they may make special, individualized recommendations that the family may not be aware of, such as scattering ashes in a memorial forest.
  4. Assists the patient in finishing legacy tasks to leave behind, such as letter-writing, art-making, scrapbooking, recording video messages, or producing creative projects.
  5. Arranges things to make their dying days happier, including getting approval to put a pet into the hospice room.
  6. Relieves the strain on worn-out caretakers and gives family members emotional support.
  7. Gives everyone participating in the dying process a deeper sense of significance.

Hiring A Transition Guide

Finding a personal match should be the first consideration when selecting a death doula. In order to get the most from the experience, the patient must entirely trust and feel at ease around their death doula. Family members must also feel at ease sharing personal information with the doula and having them participate in such a private procedure.

Look for a doula that not only knows the requirements of the family and the patient but also exhibits a friendly presence that puts everyone at ease. Get a reference from somebody you trust, or check the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) for a database of trained death doulas near you.

Wrapping It!

You may not decide you die, but you may take charge of your end-of-life preferences and what occurs after. While a death doula might help you go through your dying hours with calm, pre-planning your memorial offers a different type of solace.

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