Historical role of death midwives. One of the first movements was started out of New York in 2000, a volunteer program focused on pairing so-called “doulas” with terminally ill people.
The role of a death midwife is to educate and empower families to exercise their innate right to care for their own dead. The term “doula” comes from the ancient Greek word for “woman’s servant.” The major goal of the doula is to give emotional, spiritual, and physical support to everyone involved by carefully listening to the dying person’s and their loved ones’ concerns, anxieties, hopes, and life stories.
How long have death doulas been around? In 2000, one of the first movements started in New York — a volunteer program focused on pairing so-called “doulas” with terminally ill people. What do end-of-life doulas charge? Death doulas are independent contractors, so some may charge an hourly rate, ranging from $25 to $100+ an hour, while others prefer to set a flat fee. What does transitioning mean in death? Transitioning refers to the final stages of a person’s life.
Who hires a death doula? Death doulas are hired by patients or family members when a terminal diagnosis is given and stay with that person and their family through their death and beyond. They also help patients with their will and other advanced directives.
Why do people become death doulas? For many, becoming a death doula is a personal calling. Some may be influenced or inspired by events in their own lives to support others to have better deaths. Others are drawn to the caring, spiritual, or supportive elements of the role.
The experience of supporting a childhood friend through her death at the age of 27 motivated Ashley Johnson, president of the National End-of-life Doula Alliance, to commit to this role. As a death doula, she works with clients to plan for the final stage of their lives, holds space to support them emotionally through their deaths, and ensures their wishes are met.
Concerning the spiritual aspect of their work, death doulas are trained to help people of all faiths and those without religious beliefs, providing support in a way that is respectful of each individual’s beliefs, worldviews, and needs.
Then why is it so? It is a topic, sort of like politics, that people tend to not really want to talk about it. But why? We all understand that death is inevitable, it will happen to every being on this planet.
Vanessa Carlisle, a writer and death doula, said that "A death doula is a person who helps support the dying or their loved ones through the end of life."
For sourcing death doulas nationally, the National End of Life Alliance directory is a resource. How to Become a Death Doula Yourself. Have you heard the call to become a death doula?
While a death doula may perform many tasks, the heart of their purpose is to offer non-medical support to patients and grieving families:
- Companionship and a safe space for patients to talk about what they believe comes after death
- Assistance with end-of-life paperwork like healthcare directives, wills, listing accounts, and gathering online passwords.