What is an end-of-life doula? An end-of-life doula is a trained, non-medical companion who provides practical, emotional and holistic support to people approaching the end of life and to those who care for them.

Do I need to be dying to work with a doula? Not at all. Many people engage a doula while they are still well, to plan ahead and document their wishes. The earlier you start, the more meaningful and thorough the process can be.

Can a doula support someone who does not have a terminal diagnosis? Yes. Anyone who wants to plan ahead, process their thoughts around death or simply get their affairs in order can benefit from working with a doula.

Will you assist me if I am accessing Voluntary Assisted Dying? Yes, we provide compassionate, non-judgmental support to clients and their families who have chosen to access Voluntary Assisted Dying.

How is a doula different from a nurse or palliative care team? A doula does not provide medical care. We work alongside your medical team, focusing on the emotional, practical and personal aspects of end of life that clinical care does not always have time to address.

Do doulas administer medication or provide medical advice? No. End-of-life doulas never administer medication and always defer medical questions to your clinical care team.

When should I engage an end-of-life doula? We recommend engaging a doula sooner rather than later. The earlier we connect, the more time we have to get to know you, understand your wishes and make the journey less stressful and more meaningful.

Will my doula be available around the clock? We will discuss availability and expectations with you from the outset so there are no surprises. We also have backup doulas should your primary doula be unavailable at a critical time.

Will my doula respect my cultural, spiritual or religious beliefs? Absolutely. A doula should be open and non-judgmental of anyone's life practices or spirituality, recognising that everyone has their own spiritual element regardless of religious belief.

Do you work with the LGBTQIA+ community? Yes, we warmly welcome and support all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and non-judgmental space for everyone.

Is everything I share kept confidential? Yes. Everything shared with your doula is treated with complete discretion and respect.

What if I only need help with one specific thing? That is perfectly fine. We can support you with a single conversation, one document or one task. There is no obligation to engage us for anything beyond what you need.

How do I know if a doula is the right fit for me? The connection is everything. Your doula will be with you during vulnerable and emotional moments. We offer an initial consultation so you can get a feel for whether we are the right fit before committing to anything.

Can a doula support my family as well as me? Yes. Support extends to family members throughout the journey and beyond, including bereavement care after death.

Can a doula help after the person has died? Yes. A doula can continue working with a family after their loved one has passed, with no time constraints, for as long as support is needed.

How much does it cost? Pricing varies depending on the services required. We offer packages as well as individual sessions. Our Fees page is a great place to start.

What areas do you service? We currently work in-person in the Hobart area and provide online service everywhere else. Please get in touch and we will let you know how we can support you.

What qualifications does a doula have? A doula is a non-medical support person and is not governed by legislation however all our Doula’s have undergone extensive training through Preparing the Way and have a Working with Vulnerable People check as well as a National Police Check.

Are your doulas insured? Yes, all of our doulas are fully insured, giving you confidence that you are in safe and professional hands.

Additional Resources

Palliative Care Tasmania - End-of-Life Doulas and Palliative Care and Recommended Questions to as an End-of-Life Doula