Vibrant Profession of Death Doulas Impact Dynamics of Dying

"The role of the doula has emerged in a larger context of a renaissance of a return and a reclaiming of community-centered approaches to death and dying."

Dawn Walsh,

Death Doula & Executive Director of The Lily House.

What is a death doula?

26 January 2024- WELLFLEET, MA -Cookie Glatzel (who uses the pronouns they, them) knew nothing about caring for someone who is dying, but when their best friend David Tobin became terminally ill, they had to learn how to navigate life's last journey on the go. It was a wild experience, they said, and an experience in true form with their friendship with David. For years, the two had always dived head-first into adventures and hit the ground running. They decided that dying would be no different, except this time they had a new companion: a death doula. Death doulas form part of an emerging approach to death, one that reconnects it to the human experience.

When they heard David's diagnosis, they realized they needed a place for David to die, Glatzel said, and so they rented a house for a month in Cornhill in Truro. They bought oysters and champagne, and invited all of their friends for one last party. But when the month rental was up, something unexpected had happened - David had gotten stronger. "We looked at each other, " Glatzel explained, "and said well now what do we do now?"

That's when they met death doula Dawn Walsh.

What does a death doula do?

Dawn Walsh, co-founder and Executive Director of the hospice The Lily House in Wellfleet, says a death doula brings holistic end-of-life care. Interest in working as a death doula is growing; during the pandemic, The National End Of Life Doula Alliance grew from 200 members to more than 1000.

Birth and death are perhaps the two greatest transitions for humans - and over the last century both have become increasing framed by science and technology, with the natural flow and humanity of the process often relegated to the side. In contrast, doulas combine knowledge, information, empathy, and support but also incorporate the human experience into these transitional moments.

The board category of "doula" includes trained professional who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support during significant health transitions. While the most commonly-known type of doula is a birth doula, the profession also includes professionals specialized in various aspects of end-of-life and after death care, professionals like Walsh.

Why does death doula make a difference?

After the lease in Cornhill ended, David moved into the house of Glatzel and their family and began a hospice process. While the hospice team provided medical care for David, he and Glatzel were left in the dark regarding how to navigate the emotional side of dying. Neither of them were equipped to talk about it. Death doula Walsh was able to guide the two friends through both the practical and emotional sides of letting go. Their story shows the ways a death doula can change the dynamics of death.

Watch Death Doulas Make a Difference

Scroll up and click on the photo to hear Cookie share their story of how Dawn supported the two friends during the process of dying or click HERE to bring up a pop-up window with the video.

For more information:

• Watch "Death Doulas, A Vibrant Profession" on Lower Cape News
• Visit the End Of Life Doula Alliance
• Find a doula
• Visit the Lily House
• Watch "Birth Doulas" on Lower Cape News