Death doula
A death doula, also called a death midwife, helps people who are dying and supports their families. Like a birth doula helps with birth, a death doula assists with the dying process and lightens the load for loved ones. This work is often community-based and views death as a natural part of life. Doulas can complement hospice care and may also help with practical tasks.
What do death doulas do? They may help create a death plan and provide emotional, spiritual, and social support before and just after death. They can assist with funeral or memorial planning and help families understand their rights and responsibilities. Doulas often support the dying person and guide mourners through the early stages of grief. They may also arrange or explain after-life options and help with end-of-life decisions.
The rise of death doulas has brought questions about regulation and the use of the word midwife. They are also known as end-of-life doulas, home funeral guides, or celebrants. Training comes from private programs, hospitals, and colleges, but there is no single national system yet, which means training can vary.
Where did this start? One early program began in New York in 2000 with volunteers paired with terminally ill people. It evolved into projects at hospitals like Baylor and New York University, where doulas work with doctors, nurses, and chaplains. Some programs are outpatient, others are inpatient, and in some places doulas are ordered by a doctor.
In Canada, there has been debate over calling a death helper a “midwife.” The College of Midwives argues that “midwife” should be reserved for birth. Organizations teaching death-doula work clarify that death doulas are not traditional midwives.
Why do people become death doulas? Many want to make sure someone is not facing death alone and to ease the burden on families. They provide a neutral, supportive presence and help with both practical tasks and emotional comfort. Most death doulas are volunteers, though some training and programs are funded by organizations or hospitals.
Training and certification vary. Some programs are private courses; others are hospital-based or college courses. For example, in the United States, hospital programs like Baylor’s and NYU’s train professionals to work with end-of-life patients. In Canada, some public colleges now offer end-of-life doula courses.
The word “doula” comes from Greek and traditionally means a helper. Today, death doulas focus on supporting the dying and their families. Some people prefer to avoid the term “midwife” because of its birth-related history.
The death-doula movement is connected to a broader “death-positive” idea, which includes exploring eco-friendly after-death options. These can include natural or green burials, flameless cremation, and even human composting. Doulas help families learn about these options and choose what fits their values.
Overall, death doulas aim to provide peaceful, dignified end-of-life experiences and to support families through the dying process and early grief.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 09:14 (CET).