Author: Tina Thomas

EOL doula services are divided into 3 sections: The first is the pre-vigil phase where the planning and preparation is completed in partnership with the client.

During this time, we openly discuss death, talk about what dying looks like, help the individual find meaning in their life, develop a vigil plan, and assist the client to find peace.

If the client chooses, we can also create a legacy project, assist with EOL documents, use guided imagery to promote peace, design pre and post-death rituals, and develop a vigil plan.  

An EOL doula offers a variety of services, and the client chooses those that best fits their needs. They can pick and choose the services most important to them.

Each working relationship is individualized. Put another way, “This is your book. You get to write the story.”

When a client is comfortable and feels connected to the EOL doula, the individual has the space to talk about their concerns regarding their upcoming death and make the necessary plans.

One of my goals as an end-of-life doula is to make the client as comfortable as possible with death by bringing the subject out into the open and discussing it.

Some questions that guide my approach:

“We are all just walking each other home”

Ram Dass

• How do I take the fear out of death? 
• How can I help the client come to terms with their mortality?
• How can I best walk this inevitable journey with the client and their family/friends?

My goal is to partner with and provide support to an individual to make their transition out of this world one of peace and comfort, infused with hope.

I love being a Hospice nurse and I love providing support to my patients.

As I would make my visits, though, I would find myself wanting to spend more time with each one of them. To get to know each one better – go deeper into their lives and especially, find out their thoughts regarding death.  

As a Hospice clinician, my days are busy and don’t allow for the opportunity for the in-depth visits.  Becoming an EOL doula was the next natural step. 

As an EOL doula, I have the time to connect to clients at a deeper level, meeting their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.