Death doula Thanadoula Death Midwife Midwife to the Dying Life Coach for the Dying
These individuals offer unique services to the dying and their families. While titles and skills sets may vary, they are gaining acceptance and growing in numbers.
Imagine having continuity in care as you or a loved one dies. Someone who knew what was was going to happen and coached you as you navigate the health care system. The same person with you through the dying process AND there the next day, and the next day and the nest. Someone who knows you well enough to go with you to the funeral home or to help you plan a Home Funeral. Someone to help you navigate the paperwork or the legalese. And someone to share your grief. A Death Midwife.
I am certainly intrigued! However, I have some questions:
- How are Death Midwives different from Death Doulas?
- How might this change the experience of dying for the dying person? For the family and loved ones?
- What questions do we need to ask if this body of service providers continues to develop?
- Currently there is no recognized professional body that certifies Death Midwives. Should there be?
- Do Death Midwives need a professional background?
- Are there lesssons to be learned from Birth Midwives and the process that they have gone through to be recognized and certified? If so, who will take this on?
Would you use a Death Doula or Death Midwife? Why does it appeal to you? Why doesn’t it appeal?
Leave your answers in the comments on this posting.
For more information, have a look at the websites below. We’ll also be exploring this topic in September in the course “Death and Dying in the 21st Century.”
- Cassandra (Nova Scotia) – https://www.deathmidwifery.ca/
- Donna (Texas) – https://beyondhospice.com/?page_id=2
- or Pashta (Victoria BC) – https://www.cindea.ca/midwifery.html
Kath
