Death is Inevitable and it Doesn't Have to be Scary

Death doulas are on the rise and here to take the fear out of dying.

Let’s face it; we are all going to die one day. If you had the opportunity to take the fear

out of dying and make it peaceful, even meaningful – would you? Death doulas are here

to help ease the transition from life to death in a non-medical way.

Image from Wix.

The act of dying itself is non-medical, but rather holistic. It is a natural occurrence that

everything and everyone living will eventually face. Death doulas provide a more holistic

approach to end of life through emotional and spiritual support and not only to the

person dying, but to surrounding friends, family, coworkers and even their medical care

team. Up until someone’s death, they are still very much alive and entitled to have their

rights, wishes and needs met.

Death is as natural a birth yet one we celebrate and one we completely ignore. When and why did the topic of death become so taboo? It is inevitable. We are not immortal. The more we talk about death, the more aware we become and it may even change the way we live. The more we can understand and accept our death, the more we may be able to form deeper, more meaningful relationships with others, view the time we have living differently, and even alter our interpretation of our life’s purpose(s). We may even have a spiritual awakening!

Death doula’s typically join a person’s death journey when they are diagnosed with a life

limiting illness and/or land in palliative or hospice care. Imagine you know your death is

approaching and it is time to wrap your life up. Doula’s work on planning a good death

the way you want it; where do you want to be? Are you listening to your favourite music?

Are you smelling your favourite scent? Are you surrounded by the people you wish to be

there? You decide! Doula’s will work effortlessly to provide you with the death you desire

and deserve.

We have all seen post death legacy tributes like benches with plaques, gardens planted,

etc. Doula’s will assist you with legacy projects while you are still living so you can leave

something more personal for your loved ones or community. Perhaps projects like

personalized voice notes or recordings, personalized letters or even books. Doula’s will

work with you as much or as little as you wish to achieve these, if you so choose.

The grieving that follows a death can be substantial and difficult to navigate. In fact,

some will even argue that grief begins at the time of diagnosis. There is no proper way to grieve as everyone will do so differently. Doula’s will help you grieve your own death and provide support for your loved ones even after the fact through recommended grief and bereavement counselling, support groups, etc. Most people would not consider grieving their own death but it is very much a thing and it is important. You are about to die! With this, comes acceptance and with acceptance comes peace.

Hopefully, as death awareness becomes more prevalent in today’s society, with the help

of death doulas, they can help more and more people make meaning of the life they have lived, explore beliefs and really help a person lean into their dying. A person’s end of life journey doesn’t have to be scary. Let each and every one of our deaths be as comfortable, enriching and peaceful as possible.