You have probably heard about the natural birth movement. But what about the natural death movement? Solen Lees explains the growing demand for ‘death doulas’
We will all, without exception, face death one day, but despite this, death remains the last taboo – in western societies, at least.
But a change in attitudes seems to be on its way: discussions around death and dying are slowly becoming more acceptable.This can only be a good thing: the more people talk about death, the more likely they are to share their wishes about what they want to happen at the end of their lives or when they are extremely sick. Most people want to die at home, surrounded by their loved ones; but as life (and death) become more medicalised, the reality is that the majority end up dying in hospitals, or at best, hospices.
In the UK, Living Well Dying Well (LWDW) has helped raised awareness on these issues. It is currently the only organisation offering training for death, or end-of-life, doulas. You may have heard of birth doulas – trained professionals who are there to support a new mother and her family from the preparation for birth through to the birth itself and beyond. But death doulas? Is that a thing?
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Death doulas are trained professionals who support those who are dying and their families in non-medical ways as they make the transition from this life to the next. Their role can vary depending on what the dying person or their family wants from them, ranging from companionship to practical support, such as signposting resources.
Hermione Elliott, founder of LWDW, explains how it all began. “My background is in nursing, midwifery, complementary therapies, palliative care, training and personal development. Then I lived through three deaths in my family, each very different.
“The first was my father, who was 84 when he collapsed in the bathroom one day. My mum, understandably, called an ambulance. When the ambulance service came, they tried resuscitating him with CPR. I was horrified that this could be considered a routine way to approach the situation. Fortunately, he didn’t let them bring him back. I was very proud of him: he would have been an appalling patient and I would have been furious…
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