Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an End of Life Doula?
There is no "Need," and it is more of a personal choice. End of Life Doulas are a caring resource for families who may be overwhelmed and grieving the impending death of a loved one. They are a calming and reassuring presence with expertise in the death process. End-of-life doulas provide a range of services to help with the process of dying, but their primary role is to be a steady, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and reassuring presence during a very emotional moment.
How is End of Life Doula different from Hospice Care?
Every person and family dealing with a terminal disease and the end of life should contact their neighborhood hospice as soon as possible, in our opinion. Although our doula services do not replace the nursing and physician care provided by hospice teams, we complement them perfectly. Beyond what hospice can often provide owing to Medicare limits, we offer more time, individualized attention, continuity at the bedside, advocacy, and availability. Our intensive training goes beyond what hospice volunteer organizations offer since each of us has confronted our concerns and feelings related to death in great detail. To deal with intense and challenging emotions, we receive training and practice. There is no service like ours available anywhere else. We provide full-time presence and companionship at the vigil and at death, advocacy in hospitals or at home, coaching to customize end-of-life care plans for spiritual, physical, practical, and life review needs, and, most importantly, consistent relationships with our clients.
When should I contact an End of Life Doula?
There is no wrong time to invite a doula into your journey, but earlier support often creates a much richer, more meaningful experience. When we begin working together before the final days, we have the space to build trust, explore your wishes in depth, support your loved ones, and create a truly personalized plan that reflects who you are and what matters most to you.
Early involvement allows us to move at your pace — gently clarifying preferences, shaping rituals, preparing for practical and emotional needs, and creating a calm and grounded foundation long before the intensity of the final moments. By the time vigil arrives, your environment, care preferences, and support system are already aligned, allowing the final days to unfold with more peace, intention, and ease.
While I am honored to step in at any point, beginning earlier allows for a deeper connection and a more customized, meaningful experience for everyone involved.
What do EOL Doulas Not Do?
Perform clinical responsibilities like checking blood pressure, bandaging wounds, caring for catheters, or administering breathing treatments because I'm not in a position to practice nursing legally.
Administer medication of any kind, including oral syringes that have been pre-filled and are on a doctor's order.
Make any choices for customers that are related to medicine or not. I'll help gather the knowledge and materials needed to better equip them to make wise selections. The client will be guided and helped to contact the medical staff if they have any queries or require assistance concerning their medical care.
Speak with medical personnel or providers on the patient's behalf. I will urge the patient or family caregiver to express thoughts, queries, and concerns to their medical professionals through coaching, counseling, and support.
What sets you a part from other Doulas?
What sets me apart is the way I am naturally wired to love and accept people exactly as they are. Offering unconditional compassion isn’t something I have to work at — it’s simply how I move through the world. Because of this, I connect with others easily and sincerely, creating a safe, grounding space where clients and families feel truly seen and comfortable being themselves.
This foundation of trust allows me to support people in a very personalized and meaningful way. My intention is never to be “better” than another doula, but to show up with presence, deep listening, and genuine humanity so each person feels understood, cared for, and honored throughout their journey.