Needed: Death Doulas for Children

How is the end-of-life experience different for younger people?

Children differ from adults in most areas of life, so it stands to reason that their needs would be different in death, too. Whether we’re talking about physical, emotional, developmental, or spiritual necessities, younger people require patient-centered care and a support system tailored to them.

They’re Not Small Adults – They’re Kids

Not everyone has the emotional fortitude to care for dying children, and that’s OK. To be as effective as possible, death doulas must deeply consider the kinds of people they’re called to serve or not serve.

That includes an honest assessment of our own strengths and weaknesses. I form coalitions with other inclusive doulas for just this reason.

A few years ago, someone asked me to provide end-of-life services to a prisoner in a local jail. This wasn’t a good fit for me, for lots of reasons. I wouldn’t have done an effective job. So I referred them to someone who was able to provide the compassionate support they needed.

If you feel called to serve childr…