Everheld Crossings
End-of-Life Doula
death & dying, Grief & Bereavement Support
What is an
End-of-life doula?
An End-of-Life Doula - also called a Death Doula - is a person who assists in the dying process, much like a midwife or doula does with birth. We offer emotional, spiritual, and practical support to people (and families of those people) who have received a terminal diagnosis, who are dying, or even to someone who just wishes to explore and come to terms with the idea of death and their own mortality.
End-of-Life Doulas don’t replace medical or hospice care but we work alongside your medical providers, focusing on comfort, dignity, and presence, rather than treatment or cure.
We can support you in many ways, from helping you and your family navigate the practicalities of life’s end, to the more emotional and spiritual aspects of this profound experience that we all will go through, in the end. We can also provide support to family and close friends - as they process their own experiences - before, during, and sometimes after the death of their loved one.
In short, an End-of-Life Doula serves as a guide, witness, and advocate — not as a medical provider or decision-maker. We bring presence, compassion, and organization —but the medical, legal, and ultimate authority rests with you, your family, and your official care team.
what we do
Emotional & Spiritual Support
* Provide a compassionate and non-judgemental presence.
* Help the dying person reflect on their life, values, and legacy.
* Hold space for difficult emotions—fear, sadness, anger, or peace.
* Offer guided imagery, meditation, or calming rituals.
* Facilitate meaningful conversations between the dying person and their loved ones.
* Help create an "end-of-life plan,” including wishes for care, visitors, rituals, and the environment in their final days.
* Offer support in writing advance directives, ethical wills, or goodbye letters.
* Coordinate with family and hospice staff to ensure comfort-focused care.
* Suggest comfort measures like lighting, scents, music, or touch.
Vigil & Final Hours Support
* Sit bedside, during the active dying phase to ensure no one feels alone.
* Maintain a peaceful atmosphere—quiet presence, soothing words, or silence.
* Support family members in knowing what to expect, physically and emotionally.
* Sometimes guide a “death vigil” with music, readings, or prayers (secular or spiritual).
After-Death Care
* Help wash, dress, or prepare the body, if desired.
* Support home wakes or ceremonies.
* Offer grief support resources and follow-up visits.
* Assist with legacy projects like memory books, recordings, or photo collections.
What we don’t do
Medical Care
* No diagnosis or treatment - We aren’t doctors, nurses, or hospice clinicians.
* No administering medications– We can remind someone to take prescribed medications, but we don’t give injections, adjust dosages, or prescribe anything.
* No replacing hospice or palliative care – We work alongside, not instead of, medical teams.
Legal or Financial Authority
* We don’t write wills, manage estates, or offer legal advice.
* We can help organize documents or refer you to lawyers, but we can’t draft or notarize legal papers (unless we are separately qualified to do so.)
Religious Agenda
* End-of-Life/Death Doulas don’t impose our personal beliefs on anyone.
* We may support religious rituals - only if they match the dying person’s wishes.
* We can help you find clergy or spiritual leaders, if you wish, but we are not a replacement for them.
Decision-Making Without Consent
* We don’t override the dying person’s or their family’s choices.
* We facilitate discussion and provide information - but final decisions always belong to the individual (or their legal decision-maker).
Crisis Intervention Beyond our Scope
* We are not mental health therapists, though we may offer emotional support.
* For severe distress, trauma, or complex family conflict, we refer to counselors, social workers, or mediators.
Please schedule a Free consultation, so that, together, we can craft a Package that meets your unique needs.
We can’t wait to meet you! Please complete the Contact Form, below, and we’ll get back to you,
within 2 business days, to set up your Initial Consultation.
