What Is a Death Doula? Understanding Their Role and Where to Find One

What a Death Doula Does

A death doula (also called an end-of-life doula or transition doula) provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals and families during the dying process. Unlike medical professionals, death doulas focus on presence, ritual, and helping people honor their values and wishes at life’s end.

For mothers experiencing loss, this can include emotional support after grieving a stillbirth creating rituals, memory-making, and helping families process the emotional and spiritual dimensions of grief.

According to SoulTransition, a Canadian organization specializing in end-of-life care, death  doulas guide clients through legacy projects, advance care planning, spiritual rituals, and compassionate family support.

Why The 24 Week Mark for Babies is so Important

After 24 weeks, you are legally required to hold a proper funeral after a neonatal death (Tommy’s). The most common causes of neonatal death at this stage are respiratory failure, organ failure due to premature state, and other related health complications and infections.This stage also represents periviability. According to Healthline, babies born at 24 weeks have a 60–68% chance of survival in modern NICUs. Survival rates climb with each additional week, but at 24 weeks, risks of respiratory failure, organ immaturity, and infection remain high.

Why Parents Choose to Bring a Stillborn Back Home

Unless a coroner or procurator fiscal has ordered a post-mortem, parents are allowed to bring their stillborn child back home. A post portem is an examination of your baby to determine the cause of death. 

Death Doula Rights

In Canada, death doulas are not licensed medical professionals. This means their rights differ from healthcare providers, but they play an important non-clinical role.

• Doulas may provide emotional support, planning, and ritual creation but cannot prescribe medications or provide medical care.
  
  

• They have the right to set terms of service, including fees, scope of work, and boundaries.
  
  

• Clients have the right to informed consent — understanding exactly what a doula can and cannot do.
  
  

• While Canada or the US does not currently regulate death doulas nationally, provincial laws around wills, consent, and medical assistance in dying (MAiD) intersect with their work. Doulas must remain informed to avoid stepping into healthcare-only responsibilities.
  
  

Why Families Choose a Death Doula

Families often invite a death doula into their circle because they want more than just medical care at life’s end. Common reasons include:

• Personalized emotional support — compassionate listening and presence during a vulnerable time.
  
  

• Grief navigation — helping families process emotions and create rituals for healing.
  
  

• Legacy and memory work — encouraging loved ones to write letters, record stories, or create keepsakes.
  
  

• Caregiver relief — easing the emotional and logistical burden on families.
  
  

SoulTransition notes that this role is especially valuable when families feel overwhelmed and need guidance that honors both practical and spiritual needs. In the case of a stillborn or sudden loss, death doulas help work around your emotional boundaries to develop self care routines that promote growth and healing from perinatal loss. 

How Do You Become a Death Doula?

If you feel called to become a death doula, there are several steps you can take:

1. Training and Education
   While no government license is required in Canada, many organizations offer certification and training programs. These cover grief theory, palliative care basics, cultural rituals, and ethical boundaries. Programs like SoulTransition’s training provide a structured path.
   
   

2. Mentorship and Experience
   Partnering with experienced doulas, hospices, or grief support organizations helps you gain practical skills and confidence.
   
   

3. Developing Soft Skills
   Active listening, cultural humility, emotional resilience, and boundary-setting are as important as technical knowledge.
   
   

4. Networking and Community
   Building relationships with palliative care teams, spiritual counselors, and hospice programs ensures you can connect with families who need your services.
   
   

5. Legal and Ethical Awareness
   Understanding the legal framework around consent, wills, and medical assistance in dying is essential for working within safe and ethical boundaries.
   
   

Key Takeaways

• A death doula supports emotional, spiritual, and practical needs at end of life, complementing but not replacing medical care.
  
  

• In Canada, doulas are not regulated healthcare professionals but play a vital role in supporting families through grief, planning, and ritual.
  
  

• Training, mentorship, and community connections are the foundation for becoming a doula.
  
  

For more on end-of-life doula services and training, connect with our pregnancy and infant loss grief specialists virtually. If you’re a parent navigating grief or seeking support, visit the parent services page on MissPoppins to connect instantly with a live death doula or grief specialist for compassionate support.