Frequently asked questions
Why would I want an End of Life Doula?
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, is elderly, or approaching the end of life, you might consider the support of an End of Life Doula. Our role is to ensure that your wishes and choices are respected until the very end, providing care in the manner and setting you prefer.
We offer guidance through the myriad decisions you may face, helping you navigate this process with peace and confidence. Our approach is rooted in openness, aiming to create an atmosphere of considerate support, kindness, respect, and dignity for everyone involved.
What does an End of Life Doula do?
End of Life Doulas provide practical, emotional, and/or spiritual support tailored to individual needs. This includes assisting with advance care planning, offering companionship, coordinating with other services, and supporting both the individual and those important to them throughout end of life. For a more detailed discussion, we are available for conversations via telephone or face-to-face meetings. Please complete the contact form to arrange this.
What else can you help with?
In addition to providing emotional and practical support at the end of life, our network includes doulas with expertise in a range of related services. Many of our doulas have additional skills and qualifications that can support individuals and families before, during, and after death.
We can connect you with doulas who are also Funeral Celebrants, helping to create personalised and meaningful ceremonies that honour the wishes and beliefs of the person who has died. Some doulas have experience as Funeral Directors, offering guidance on funeral planning, legal processes, and eco-friendly burial options.
End of Life Doulas are often well-connected within their local communities and can help signpost you to other relevant services. Whatever your needs, we will do our best to ensure you feel fully supported at every stage.
How much time do you spend with a person?
Our involvement is flexible and based on your needs. Initially, support might consist of regular phone calls or visits once a week or less. In other situations, a more continuous presence may be required, and some doulas may offer support such as overnight stays. If necessary, end of life doulas can work together in small teams to ensure consistent support particularly in the last days of life.
When should End of Life Doula support start?
End of Life Doula support can commence at any stage, from the time of diagnosis to the later stages of life. Our involvement may last from a few days or weeks to several months or more than a year, depending on your needs. We are available when requested and remain for as long as needed.
What happens when I say that I may want support?
Upon expressing interest in support, we will engage in an initial telephone conversation to understand your specific requirements. Following this, we will endeavour to connect you with an available doula who best suits your needs.
Do you support the people close to the individual with a life limiting illness too?
Yes, we adopt a holistic approach that encompasses both the individual and those important to them.
Is the service free?
The initial telephone call with End of Life Doula UK is free of charge. During this conversation we aim to understand how best a doula can support you. Some of our members, who are self-employed or have their own doula organisations, charge a fee while others work on a voluntary basis. The specifics of any fees will be discussed transparently during the initial meeting with you. In certain situations, subsidised support may be available.
Can an End of Life Doula help me create an Advance Plan/Living Will?
Yes, doulas can assist with Advance Planning, which involves discussing and documenting your wishes for end of life care. This may include decisions about medical treatment, where you would like to be cared for, and what kind of support you want in your final days. Having these plans in place can provide reassurance and clarity for both you and those important to you.
I want someone who will advocate for my wishes. Can you help with this?
Yes. End of Life Doulas can act as advocates, ensuring that your voice is heard, and your wishes are respected. If you find it difficult to express your needs, a doula can support you in communicating with family members, healthcare teams, or other professionals involved in your care.
We can help you document your preferences through Advance Planning, ensuring that important decisions—such as where you wish to be cared for and what treatments you do or do not want—are recorded and understood. Our role is to empower you to make informed choices and to support you in having those choices upheld.
Do you support people who are not at home - for example, in a hospice, hospital, or care home?
Yes, End of Life Doulas provide support wherever it is needed. While many people wish to remain at home, others may spend their final days in a hospice, hospital, or care home, where doulas can still offer valuable support.
In these settings, a doula can be a familiar, reassuring presence—helping you navigate the environment, ensuring your wishes are communicated to staff, and offering emotional support to both you and those important to you. We work alongside healthcare professionals to provide continuity of care, ensuring that you feel seen, heard, and supported no matter where you are.
How do you work with others involved in my care?
End of Life Doulas will work collaboratively with health and social care professionals including doctors, nurses, palliative care teams, social workers, and carers. We do not replace medical or social care professionals but complement their work by providing non-medical support.
End of Life Doulas can help bridge gaps in care, ensuring that you and those important to you feel informed and supported. We respect professional boundaries and always work in a way that enhances—not disrupts—the care you are receiving. Our focus is on listening to you, helping you to make choices, and ensuring that all aspects of your well-being are considered.
Will my doula respect my spiritual or religious beliefs?
Absolutely. End of Life Doulas support people of all faiths, spiritual paths, and belief systems, as well as those with no religious beliefs at all. Our role is not to impose personal views but to listen, respect, and uphold your wishes—whether that means incorporating spiritual practices into your care or ensuring a secular approach.
If you have specific spiritual or religious needs, your doula can help facilitate them, whether through arranging visits from faith leaders, creating meaningful rituals, or simply holding space for the beliefs that matter to you. Our commitment is to support you in the way that feels most authentic and comforting to you.
I don’t have religious or spiritual beliefs - will my end of life doula respect that?
Yes, absolutely. End of Life Doulas provide support that is entirely person-centred and tailored to your individual beliefs, values, and preferences. We work with people from all backgrounds, including those who do not identify with any religious or spiritual beliefs.
Your doula will respect your outlook and ensure that your end of life experience aligns with what feels right for you. If you prefer a purely practical, emotional, or humanist approach, they will support you in that. The focus is always on honouring your choices, whether that includes spiritual elements or not.
I’m interested in becoming an End of Life Doula. How do I start?
To become an End of Life Doula, you will need to complete training with Living Well Dying Well, a recognised training provider in the UK. You can find more details about their courses here. Once you have completed the foundation training and received certification you will be eligible to join End of Life Doula UK.