What Does a Death Doula Do?

A death doula — sometimes called an end-of-life doula — is a companion at the threshold. We walk with the dying, and we walk with those who love them. But just as every death is unique, every doula is different. It is a broad term, a wide cloth that covers many expressions of care. Not all doulas offer the same support.

Here is what I offer.

Supporting the Dying

To be with someone who is nearing the end of life is an honor. My role is not to fix or to cure, but to be present — steady, grounded, unafraid.

I support the dying person by:

• Sitting at the bedside with a quiet, compassionate presence.

• Helping them articulate their wishes for care, ritual, or legacy.

• Creating spaces that feel safe, sacred, and comforting.

• Bearing witness to last words, last breaths, last silences.

• Offering gentle guidance when fear, restlessness, or uncertainty arises.

I have been honored to spend time at the threshold. I know the terrain, and I can walk it with you.

Supporting the Family

For loved ones, the journey can feel endless — a mix of grief, worry, exhaustion, and love stretched thin. Families often carry more than they know how to hold.

I support families by:

• Guiding conversations about care, choices, and next steps.

• Helping design vigils and rituals that bring meaning and peace.

• Offering respite so caregivers can rest, eat, or breathe.

• Holding space for grief before and after death.

• Connecting families with resources, from hospice to grief groups.

• Traveling, when needed, to be present and walk alongside.

I remind families that they are not alone — that even in the bottomless ache of anticipatory grief, there can be steadiness, light, and guidance.

Every Doula Is Different

Some doulas focus only on advance care planning, others only on grief, others only on ritual. The term death doula is broad — not every doula offers the same services.

This is the heart of my work:

To walk with the dying.

To walk with the living.

To hold presence at the threshold, where love and loss meet.