End-of-Life Doulas: Supporting the Human Being

In a world where death is often hidden behind hospital walls, the role of end-of-life doulas is emerging as a response to a deep need: bringing meaning, connection, and gentleness back into a moment too often dominated by medical procedures and the fast pace of care.

End-of-life doulas accompany people who are dying, and their loved ones, for months, sometimes years. They offer emotional presence, support difficult decision-making, and help families navigate this period in ways that reflect their values. They can facilitate communication among family members, ease tensions, and ensure that the person and their wishes remain at the center of decisions. Their support continues even after death, as they help loved ones through the first moments of grief. They can also play an important community role by leading conversations, encouraging advance care planning, and creating spaces to talk about end of life and its many dimensions.

Despite their relevance, end-of-life doulas remain relatively unknown. Their practice is not regulated, and their services are rarely covered by insurance. Yet their work complements palliative care: they offer knowledge, time, listening, stability, and attention to the emotional, relational, and symbolic aspects of dying, elements that healthcare systems often struggle to provide.

End-of-life doulas may be the missing link in supporting life’s final moments. They do not replace anyone; they add a presence that often makes all the difference. In a society that is rediscovering the importance of dying surrounded by others, with dignity and according to one’s values, their contribution appears more essential than ever.

To go further: End-of-life doulas: A practice worth discovering (in French only)https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/cfsp/2024-v24-n1-cfsp09124/1109570ar/