Death Doulas and Hospice

Do they go together?

When most people think of doulas, they conjure up images of non-medical professionals helping to facilitate the birth of babies. That's true! Death doulas, which have existed in some capacity since the beginning of time, aren't as well-known.

We're referred to as:

• death doulas

• end-of-life doulas

• transition doulas

• death coaches

• death educators

• death yentas

Yes, death yentas. I have had several Jewish clients who called me that. We all essentially do the same thing. In short, death doulas, or end-of-life doulas, provide non-medical support for dying people.

Hospice is more well-known as a type of care that focuses on comfort for the terminally ill. But it’s also vastly misunderstood.

Both death doulas and hospice support the dying person physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Partnerships Between Death Doulas and Hospice Makes Sense

In many communities, death doulas coordinate their efforts with hospice organizations and other providers to offer more services for the dying. Around the country,…