End-of-Life Doulas are there to walk you home

What is an End-of-Life Doula and how do they support families? Sheila Burke, death doula, author, and Global Doula Project grant recipient, explains.

Hospice is beautiful but someone will not be there around-the-clock. This is why the doula is such an amazing compliment to hospice. We help fill the gaps. We fill a very unique space.

I’m like a sherpa. My goal is simply to help the dying as they navigate their way to a peaceful and meaningful death. My job is to help the dying person figure out how they want to experience death and how they wish to allow others to experience their death.

Sheila Burke is an End-of-Life Doula in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Every client and their family is unique and have different needs and preferences. As a doula, I can be there physically with you as you are dying or I can be in the background (in the room or even on via phone) supporting your family. It is completely up to you and your family.

End-of-Life Doulas are there to walk you home.

Sheila has written several books including a guidance series to help families navigate the often overwhelming time around death. You can order the four book series on Amazon here.

Included in the series are the following books:

Active Dying: What It's Like to Die and How to Provide Care and Comfort to the Dying

Death Over Dinner: The Importance of Having Conversations About Death and Dying and How to Start One

Understanding Grief: Navigating Loss in a Gentle, Healthy Way

Saying Goodbye: End of Life Boundaries and Best Practices

For more information about Sheila and her work as an End-of-Life Doula, you can visit her website or be inspired by her words and images on Instagram.