What is an end of life doula?
An end of life doula gives emotional, practical and spiritual support to someone near the end of their life and to the people close to them. The role is non-medical: doulas work alongside doctors, nurses and carers, not instead of them. Support can start at any age or stage of illness, and can continue after the death. (End of Life Doula UK)
Signposting, not medical adviceSources checked 28 September 2026
What does a doula do?
- Being present, listening and offering reassurance, to the person and to those important to them. (End of Life Doula UK)
- Advocacy: making sure the person's wishes are heard and respected, including at medical appointments. (End of Life Doula UK)
- Practical help, such as advance planning paperwork, coordinating other services, running errands or light housework. (End of Life Doula UK)
- Sitting with the person who is dying, and arranging respite so that carers can rest. (End of Life Doula UK)
- After the death: help with care of the body, registration paperwork and funeral planning, and support in the first weeks of grief. (End of Life Doula UK)
Where do doulas work?
Often in people's own homes, and also in hospices, care homes and hospitals, alongside the staff there. (End of Life Doula UK)
Who can a doula help?
People facing the end of life, whether because of age or terminal illness; their family and friends; carers who may be overwhelmed; and communities who want to understand how to support dying people. (End of Life Doula UK)
Does it cost anything?
Some doulas offer their support free of charge and others charge for it. End of Life Doula UK has an Access Fund that can cover the cost of doula support in some circumstances. (End of Life Doula UK)
How are doulas trained and checked?
Members of End of Life Doula UK have completed Living Well Dying Well's foundation training. Practising members follow a Code of Practice, are DBS or Disclosure Scotland checked, are insured, and are mentored. (End of Life Doula UK)
If you need help now
If someone's life is in danger, call 999. If you need medical help urgently and are not sure what to do, call 111 (NHS 111 in England and Wales, NHS 24 in Scotland). In Northern Ireland, nidirect explains where to get urgent help.
If someone has just died
- If the death was expected, at home
- Contact their GP. If community nurses have been visiting, call them too: they can verify the death. Outside surgery hours, contact the on-call doctor.
- If the death was unexpected
- Call 999 straight away and explain what has happened. The police will also be told, because the coroner needs to know.
Sources: NHS: when to call 999 · NHS: when to use 111 · Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust · nidirect: when someone dies at home
Sources
- End of Life Doula UK: End of life doulas (No date shown; read 28 September 2026)
- End of Life Doula UK: About End of Life Doula UK (No date shown; read 28 September 2026)