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Join date : 2019-05-10
|  Wed 7 Aug - 15:14 I guess we can all come up with our own definition of what a death doula is. But there are some elements that are the very core of the profession. Here are some of the best definitions i found during my researches. This will be subject to modifications. - Wikipedia wrote:
- A death midwife, or death doula, is a person who assists in the dying process, much like a midwife or doula does with the birthing process. It is often a community based role, aiming to help families cope with death through recognizing it as a natural and important part of life. The role can supplement and go beyond hospice. Practitioners perform a large variety of service, including but not limited to creating death plans, and providing spiritual, psychological, and social support before and just after death. Their role can also include more logistical activities, helping with services, planning funerals and memorial services, and guiding mourners in their rights and responsibilities.
The presence of the role of a modern death midwife has been evolving in recent years, including a controversy over the regulation process for the position and the use of the term "midwife" as opposed to doula, and bills proposed to regulate the process and provide licenses for death doulas. The terms "End of Life Guide," "Home Funeral Guide" and "Celebrant" are also used. The field has also seen a significant rise in training organizations, which train hospitals along with individuals. - http://www.earthtraditions.org/death-midwife wrote:
The work of Death Midwives and home funeral guides does not duplicate the work of professionals such as doctors, nurses, hospice workers, or funeral directors; we work alongside them filling in the gaps. Our skills are not medically oriented, they are community, spiritually, traditionally, hands and heart-oriented. We use the ancient and time-proven techniques of an open and compassionate heart, touch, and our voices to work with individuals and families on emotional, spiritual and practical levels. This work can be done in any setting, whether in a hospital, nursing facility or a home.
There are currently no national regulatory bodies for a Death Midwife.
Certification does not designate that a person has sufficient knowledge in a subject area, only that they passed the test. Certification does not refer to the state of legally being able to practice or work in a profession. That is licensure. Usually, licensure is administered by a governmental entity for public protection purposes. Licensure and certification are similar in that they both require the demonstration of a certain level of knowledge or ability.
A more formal definition of certification follows:
"One of the most common types of certification in modern society is a professional certification, where a person is certified as being able to competently complete a job or task, usually by the passing of an examination and/or the completion of a program of study. Some professional certifications also require that one obtain work experience in a related field before the certification can be awarded. Some professional certifications are valid for a lifetime upon completing all certification requirements. Others expire after a certain period of time and have to be maintained with further education and/or testing. Certifications can differ within a profession by the level or specific area of expertise to which they refer."
When a loved one's death is dignified, peaceful and meaningful, it can be a sacred experience for those left behind. Often an event such as this heals family rifts and enables people to reconnect with each other in ways that are life-changing for everyone involved. When families are able to participate in the ending of a loved one's life it can be very empowering.
The role of the Death Midwife to help facilitate this is becoming essential to communities everywhere.
- https://www.doulagivers.com wrote:
- What is a Death Doula?
A Death Doula is a non-medical person trained to care for someone holistically (physically, emotionally and spiritually) at the end of life. Death Doulas are also known around the world as: end of life coaches, soul midwives, transition guides. death coaches, doula to the dying, end of life doulas, death midwives, and end of life guides.
Death Doulas are people who support people in the end of life process, much like a midwife or doula with the birthing process. It is “a new non-medical profession” that recognizes death as a natural, accepted, and honored part of life. One might say that death midwifery is to hospice palliative care as birth midwifery is to obstetrics.
Death Doulas can:
Help create positive, empowering end of life plans;
Provide spiritual care, psychological and social support;
Suggest ideas for optimal physical comfort;
Help plan home vigils; and
Educate patients and families on the new and progressive options of home wakes and natural burials.
Being a Death Doula means that you are at that very important crossroad in life. You are that person holding a hand, giving a smile and making sure that everything is and will be ok. The person in charge of helping the others to remember that death is to life what the seed is to the flower. It is both the end and the beginning. |
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