FAQs

What is an End-of-Life Coach/Death Doula? Is it Hospice?
A Death Doula is a non-medical professional trained to provide emotional, physical, spiritual, and/or informational, non-medical support to a patient and family before, during, and after death.

We do not replace hospice. We work complimentary to and often with Hospice, as hospice offers a comfortable, pain-free environment through nurses, occupational therapy, dietary therapy, and others who care for the physical wellbeing of your loved one. An End-of-Life Coach/Death Doula provides a calm presence and advocacy to support the emotional and administrative side, often assisting with end-of-life planning, advanced directives, and final wishes. I will join you in your grief journey, and accompany you in understanding what is happening, what to expect, and what needs done. This can be prior to, during, or after you or your loved one’s death. Each coach/doula has their own areas of expertise within that scope of practice, which is why many coaches/doulas belong to a collective, or have connections with other doulas in their community, so that clients can be referred to a doula with the expertise and experience they desire.

When should I hire an End-of-Life Coach/Death Doula?
People who desire such support may engage with doulas as early as initial diagnosis, or as late as the beginning of the active dying phase, or even after death if bereavement care is what they are seeking. Some people even reach out to Coaches/Doulas before they even get sick for final documents guidance such as preparing a Living Will, the 5 Wishes document, or setting up a Healthcare or Financial (Durable) Power of Attorney.

How are End-of-Life Coaches/Death Doulas paid?
Coaches/Doulas are compensated for their services in varying ways. Some are paid by the hour, some have a specific pay structure like packages or hourly rates based on specific services provided. Others offer a sliding scale, and some make other arrangements depending on the types of services provided, whether they are on-call, staying overnight, or traveling great distances. Occasionally, Coaches/Doulas offer their services as donation only, through Hospice, or complimentary as pro-bono. At this time, we know of no third-party (insurance) reimbursement. Regardless, this part of the client-doula relationship should be clearly communicated and established from the beginning. It’s always okay to ask what options for pricing are available.

What should I ask my End of Life Coach/Death Doula?
Ask questions, like those below, to potential end-of-life doulas to help discern who is a good fit for you. Remember that many doulas (myself included!) offer free consultations to talk about these things — so feel free to ask anything!

How did you get into this work?
What is your level of bedside/care experience?
How many deaths have you supported/been present for?
What are your available hours for contact?
What is the scope of your services?
Do you help with end-of-life planning, like advanced directives or celebration of life wishes?
What is your pricing structure?
Do you have a sample contract I can view?
Do you have back-up doulas or associates you work with in case you are unavailable?
What are the best ways to communicate with your doula? Do they have specific working hours for any calls or emails?
Do they pass the vibe check for you and your loved ones?

This is someone you are going to rely on for emotional support and guidance, so just liking them may not be enough. You are putting a lot of your trust into them, so finding one that feels right is important.