I am an INELDA-trained doula. INELDA (International End-of-Life Doula Association) defines an end-of-life doula as "...a nonmedical companion who provides personalized and compassionate support to individuals, families, and their circles of care as they encounter and navigate death, loss, and mortality. An end-of-life doula advocates self-determination and imparts psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and practical care to empower dignity throughout the dying process.

Doulas can offer resources to help those facing end-of-life, along with their chosen circle of care to make informed decisions in a supportive manner.  A doula can become involved any time in a person’s life. We offer support when people are impacted by a life changing illness, after a terminal diagnosis, when death is imminent, or even after a death—to help with light grief support.

Doulas normalize deathcare by creating spaces to hold conversations leading to increased communication and increased spiritual and emotional well-being. When individuals plan for death, they have autonomy over their decisions and are able to clearly define their end-of-life wishes with family and loved ones...." 

"The positive impacts of having end-of-life doula support can reduce direct care provider burnout, lower emergency room visits and aggressive treatments, and increase death literacy and quality of life at the end of life."

Limitations of practice. INELDA-practicing Doulas recognize that engaging in physical care activities like moving the dying person are not required by the end-of-life doula. INELDA-practicing Doulas cannot deliver drink or food to the dying person without prior consent from the medical team or primary caregiver and cannot provide delivery of medication to the dying person.

-International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA)