The Origin Story of a Death Doula
I am here to tell you my origin story: how I chose to become a death doula, and just how much it means to me. My journey to becoming a death doula began in 2017, with the death of my grandfather, whom I called Papa.
The HeartWay Training: Embracing Life by Honoring Death
This End-of-Life Practitioner training (death doula training) is an in-depth training and takes place over the course of 12 months both online and in person. Students explore the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of death and dying.
Learning how to support people at the end of life: Lori’s experience
Lori is a born helper, listener, and encourager. After supporting families at the beginning of life as a nanny, Lori realized that she could use the same skills at the end of life. After all, there are a lot of similarities.
Stop saying “health disparities” when it’s really obstetric racism
The statistics for black and brown birthing people are terrible. In Tennessee black people are 69% more likely to die than white people. It’s heartbreaking and maddening and dire. I asked Kaila, “Why? What can we do?”
Why I am becoming and End-of-Life Doula
To me, death is a part of life that we cannot avoid. But what happens at the time of death and afterwards, has always been an unknown.
Support is not a luxury: How the Momager Collective in Virginia is making doula support accessible to all
When Taja Iglesias, a young BIPOC girl with a Spanish last name, gave birth in southern Florida over a decade ago, she had no idea that her experience would inspire her to create a doula agency that would support families in the U.S. and beyond.
After a traumatic first birth, I hired a doula for my second
I experienced a very traumatic birth with my first child that caused physical injuries to both of us, as well as postpartum depression and the inability to breastfeed. My family doctor, who had been at my first birth and knew what I wanted to avoid, suggested a doula.
How death doulas support the dying and their families too
When his grandfather passed away, Marquis Allen flew in from out of town to pay his respects and be with his family during a delicate and sad time. After some reflection and research, Marquis learned about the existence of death doulas, trained professionals who assist families in taking care of the end of life planning.
How one doula collective in Memphis is addressing the Black maternal health crisis
Doulas support all kinds of people and all kinds of births, without judgement. If every mother felt heard and supported in her birth, just imagine the potential impact on maternal physical and mental health worldwide.