Bereavement Doulas
When loss strikes, it can be hard to find your footing—support makes all the difference.
WE'RE BRINGING THE VILLAGE BACK
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WE'RE BRINGING THE VILLAGE BACK •
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Love and support are just as essential in loss as they are in life.
Families deserve compassionate support when navigating the unimaginable loss of a child. No one should have to carry their grief alone. Bereavement doulas help bridge the gap between birth and death and help families move through the pain.
01 Photo credit02 Doulas can help create a shadow box and other ways to keep our babies' memories alive, if the family so wishes. This shadow box was created for Adrian by his mother Ashley Inclima, bereavement doula in Michigan.
A reframing...
“Birth is not a beginning; it’s a continuation. That lends tremendous comfort because we then understand that, equally true, death is not an end; it’s merely a continuation.”
– Amy Wright Glenn, 2013, Birth, Breath, and Death
HOw we support bereavement doulas & families
We’re dedicated to making bereavement doulas accessible to all families who desire one.
Our work
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Bereavement Doula Organization Grants & Funding
We award grants to doula organizations to help provide free or discounted bereavement doula services. The doula organizations we support are chosen based on sustainability and impact in their communities.
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Aspiring Bereavement Doula Scholarships
We award full and partial scholarships to aspiring bereavement doulas to help them complete their doula training courses. Our scholarship recipients demonstrate passion, drive, and a commitment to improving birth experiences for families in their communities.
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Research & Education
We're creating a world where doula care is understood and readily acceptable to all who want it. We invest in new studies and disseminate existing research, advocate for the profession, and educate the public about the importance of collective support.
What is a
bereavement doula?
A bereavement doula (or loss doula) is a trained professional who walks alongside families who have experienced the loss of a child—whether through pregnancy loss, still-birth, or a life-limiting diagnosis. Grief has its own timeline, and so does healing. Bereavement doulas support families for as long as they need it. They're trained to understand loss and to provide comfort, encouragement, as well as physical and emotional support.
After baby Esperanza's passing soon after birth, Taja was left alone in her hospital room. Her experience led her to become a bereavement doula so that she can provide the support that she didn't have. She is the founder of The Momager Co.
Social support for
Birthing people, mothers, and families after birth
Taja Iglesias had a bereavement photoshoot to remind her of baby Esperanza. Photos taken by Kristina Ashcraft.
Angela holds one baby in her arms and one baby in her heart, her butterfly tattoo as a beautiful reminder.
Jekisha Elliot of Jendayi Doula Services helps families navigate loss and advocates for their rights within the healthcare system. She is a 2023 grant recipient.
The birth of a child with disabilities can be a source of both love and grief. Doulas hold our hands through the waves of emotion.
The birth of a child with disabilities can be a source of both love and grief. Doulas hold our hands through the waves of emotion.
Provide a bereavement doula for a family in need.
Be the
village
Share your story
Do you have a bereavement doula story to share?
Whether you are a bereavement doula or you’ve experienced the benefits of one, we’d love to hear from you! Please share as much or as little as you like. Our goal is to share more real-life examples to help advocate for doulas, and educate the public on the importance of community support.
Benefits of bereavement doula support:
“Loss doulas may serve as community-based resources to affirm and validate the reproductive autonomy of marginalized communities through person-centered support.”
— Our Communities Hold the Solutions (2022) National Partnership for Women & Families