An end-of-life doula is a non-medical companion who walks alongside people and their loved ones as they head towards the end. Think of us as guides, advocates, and steady presences who bring compassion, resources, and care as individuals and families face death, loss, and grief.

We’re here to support self-determination — meaning we help people make their own choices, on their own terms. Our role can include emotional, spiritual, and practical care, always with the goal of preserving dignity and honoring what matters most in the final chapter of life.

When do doulas get involved?
There’s no single moment when a doula “should” step in. Some people seek support right after a life-changing diagnosis, others when death feels close, and sometimes even after a death to help with light grief support. Families, too, often reach out, needing someone who can guide, explain, or simply sit with them in the hardest moments.

What do doulas do?
At the heart of this work is normalizing death. We create safe, open spaces for conversations that many people are afraid to have. These conversations not only relieve anxiety, but also strengthen emotional and spiritual wellbeing. With planning and dialogue, people are able to clarify their end-of-life wishes and share them with those they love.

End-of-life doulas may also be called death doulas, death midwives, or end-of-life coaches — but no matter the name, the mission is the same: to provide compassionate deathcare.

Our values
Every doula practicing with INELDA is committed to serving all people with respect and without discrimination — across every age, culture, ability, religion or spirituality, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, or background. Death is universal, and everyone deserves care that is inclusive and affirming.

How I can serve

• Create space to talk openly and honestly about dying.

• Guide conversations around advance care directives and end-of-life planning.

• Help explore meaning, legacy, and how someone wants to be remembered.

• Support families in shaping the environment — how the space looks, feels, and sounds.

• Incorporate personal traditions or create new rituals to mark special moments.

• Encourage loving touch and connection with the dying person.

• Offer a calm, intuitive presence at the bedside.

• Provide hands-on practical support to ease the load for caregivers.

• Give respite to family members who are exhausted from caregiving.

• Explain the signs and stages of the dying process in clear, compassionate language.

• Support the spiritual practices and needs of everyone involved.

• Walk alongside loved ones in the early stages of grief.

In short: doulas hold space. We listen, we guide, and we help people and their families move through death with clarity, compassion, and dignity.

Contact me for a free consultation and more information about End-of-Life Doula packages and services.