What is a death doula?

Death doulas, also known as End-of-Life Doulas, provide non-medical holistic support which can include emotional, spiritual, and practical care before, during, and after end-of-life.There are a range of different services offered by different death doulas and they can be present from initial diagnosis through bereavement.

What are the benefits when working with a death doula?

Benefits of working with a death doula include having a supportive presence be by your side to assist in navigating care at end-of-life care that is personalized to the individual, in addition to supporting families, friends, and their community of care. Also, according to an article published in Palliative and Social Practice: “Experiences of engaging a death doula: qualitative interviews with bereaved family members”, families who have worked with a death doula reported more positive end-of-life experiences through personalized and informed end-of-life care, personal empowerment through increase death literacy and education, and a reduction of fear and anxiety around death.

When should I hire a death doula?

You can hire a death doula at any point in the lifespan if you are interested in advance care planning. When a terminal diagnosis is received and you are trying to figure out what to do next, a death doula can be an additional part of your team to support you. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make when you feel ready and comfortable to hire a death doula.

How much do services cost?

Death doula services are not currently covered by insurance. Doula Noire charges a flat rate fee for single service offerings or a package fee which includes a number of visits in addition to offerings agreed upon by the client and doula. For prices please contact directly by phone or email to discuss further.

How is a death doula different than hospice?

Hospice provides medical care and a death doula does not. Through hospice there is an interdisciplinary team to support the patient and family. In order to qualify for hospice a person is certified by a physician with less than 6 months to live, however, there are recertification periods for people extending hospice service beyond the 6 months when applicable.