What is an end of life doula?

An end of life doula is a compassionate, trained companion who supports individuals with a terminal diagnosis and those important to them. Offering support at any age or stage of illness, our non-medical role is to preserve the quality of wellbeing, sense of identity and self-worth from the moment we are called upon. By providing emotional, practical, and spiritual support, an end of life doula acts as a consistent and flexible presence with knowledge, experience and understanding, to facilitate an end of life that it is as peaceful, meaningful and dignified as it can be.

 
Who Can an End of Life Doula Help?
End of life doulas support:
  • Individuals who are facing the end of life, whether due to age or terminal illness.
  • Families and friends who need guidance, reassurance, and emotional support.
  • Carers who may be overwhelmed and in need of respite or assistance.
  • Wider communities who want to better understand how to support dying people.
Photo of End of Life doula talking to a client
How Can an End of Life Doula Help?
End of life doulas work alongside medical and care professionals, filling gaps where extra support is needed. Their work is tailored to each person’s needs and wishes, and can include:
Emotional Support – Being present, listening, and offering reassurance to individuals and those important to them.
Advocacy – Ensuring that a person’s wishes are heard and respected by those involved in their care.
Practical Assistance – Helping with advance planning documentation, coordinating other services, supporting life legacy work, or simply providing a calming presence enabling others to take a break.
Companionship – Sitting with the person, talking with them, and helping them feel less alone.
After Death Support – Offering guidance and comfort to families after the person has died including supporting care of the body, support with death registration paperwork, and funeral planning. 
 
What Does the Support Look Like?
The support provided by an end of life doula is tailored to individual needs and circumstances.
This may include:
  • Advocating for your wishes and ensuring they are upheld including attending medical appointments.
  • Encouraging and opening conversations about death to reduce fear and loneliness.
  • Assisting with Advance Planning, helping you document preferences and wishes for the end of life.
  • Helping you and those close to you navigate local health and social care services.
  • Supporting key decisions such as where you would like to spend your final days and who will provide your care.
  • Providing practical help, such as running errands, light housework, or assisting with ‘life admin’.
  • Acting as a point of contact and coordinator for other services.
  • Offering ongoing support in your home and working alongside healthcare professionals in hospitals, hospices, and care homes.
  • Organising respite support to allow unpaid carers to rest.
  • Sitting with the dying person to provide a calm, reassuring presence.
  • Assisting with formalities after death, including registration and funeral planning.
  • Continuing to offer emotional support for the bereaved in the initial weeks after death.

 

How Are End of Life Doulas Equipped to Help?
All end of life doulas who are members of End of Life Doula UK have undergone rigorous training with Living Well Dying Well. This training equips them with the knowledge, skills, and death competency needed to provide non-medical, holistic support. They also work under our Code of Practice, have DBS/Disclosure Scotland checks, and receive ongoing mentoring and continuing professional development to maintain high standards of doula support.

 

Where Can an End of Life Doula Help?
End of life doulas provide support in a variety of settings, depending on the needs and wishes of the individual. They often work in private homes, offering comfort and familiarity in a personal setting. In hospices, they complement the care provided by medical staff, while in care homes, they provide additional companionship and advocacy. They also support individuals and families in hospitals, ensuring they feel cared for and informed in a clinical environment. Beyond these settings, end of life doulas play a vital role in their communities, helping to build community knowledge around death and dying, and supporting compassionate communities that care for those at the end of life.

 

A Compassionate Presence When It’s Needed Most
An end of life doula is there to accompany individuals and those important to them, providing guidance, support, and reassurance every step of the way. Their role is not to replace medical care but to complement it, ensuring that people receive the holistic, compassionate support they need at the end of life.