The History of Death Doulas: Emergence and Training

Death doulas, also known as end-of-life doulas or death midwives, are trained professionals who provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals and their families during the dying process. We also provide support during other kinds of transitions, like when someone is independent all their life and joins an assisted living facility. We also help support grieving loved ones after the death.

As a practicing death doula, I don’t see my role as a guide. I’m not there to fix anything. Rather, I’m hired to educate care teams and support a peaceful and meaningful transition, focusing on my clients’s emotional and spiritual needs. I often tell them I cannot promise anything, except they’re not alone.

Doulas do not provide medical care. Instead, we complement the care provided by healthcare professionals, such as hospice workers or palliative care teams.

Catherine Durkin Robinson is an end-of-life doula and educator at Anitya Doula Services in Chicago.

Emergence of Death Doulas

While deathwork has been around since the beginning of time, the concept of death doulas emerged in the early 2000s as part of the broader movement to reclaim and personalize end-of-life care. The term “doula” was adapted from the Greek word meaning “woman’s servant” or “one who helps.”

Initially, we focused on supporting individuals as they navigated their end-of-life wishes, facilitating conversations about death and legacy, and providing companionship and presence during the dying process.

Over time, the definition of a death doula expanded to encompass a more holistic approach to end-of-life care. Death doulas like me now offer a range of services, including advance care planning, vigil watching, psychedelic therapy, grief support, and guidance on home funerals.

How are Death Doulas Trained?

As interest in end-of-life doulas continues to grow, professional organizations and educational programs provide standardized training and a path toward certification for death doulas. These programs cover topics such as active listening, communication skills, grief support, rituals, and ethical considerations. The role of death doulas is increasingly recognized within the healthcare system as valuable support providers for end-of-life care. Some hospice programs and healthcare institutions now collaborate with death doulas to enhance the quality of care provided to patients and families.

Doulas are not regulated in the U.S.; therefore, we must find the best training to provide our clients with top-notch support. We join professional alliances that stress best practices. Hospice volunteer training is another way to learn valuable skills, log hundreds of hours of experience, and utilize background checks that put our clients at ease.

This is the first of a three part series about the history of death doulas (you can check out the second post here and the third post here). The author, Catherine Durkin Robinson, is an end-of-life doula and educator at Anitya Doula Services in Chicago. Contact her at www.anityadoulaservices.org if you need support for yourself and your loved ones.

The Global Doula Project is a nonprofit organization working for a world where every family receives loving, nonjudgmental support at the beginning and end of life.