Doula Educational Topics &
Industry News

One of the things that surprises many people when a loved one dies is how much paperwork needs to be done about it. Not just the death certificate, but also making sure that arrangements have been made for finances and property, as well as wrapping up personal affairs—things like closing…

When it comes to caring for others and for ourselves, there are so many tools and so much knowledge that comes into play, but there is nothing more valuable than connection with other people. This is why IDLM will be holding its very first Tree of Life conference in San…

Later this year, IDLM will be hosting the Tree of Life Conference in San Antonio. We are beyond excited for this event, which will be the first-ever conference held specifically by and for end-of-life doulas. As preparation, over the next few months this blog will host a series of articles…

One of the most common ways to describe the role of a death doula to people who are not familiar with this type of work is to compare our role to that of being a guide. For our clients, the end of life journey is unfamiliar territory. That’s why they…

The delicate and fragile beauty of flowers reminds us of the delicate and fragile beauty of life. We cherish them because they look and smell lovely, but also because they don’t last forever, and that makes them all the more valuable.

Death is an infinitely large topic. None of us will ever know everything there is to know—it’s impossible. But the cool thing about that is that everyone knows something no one else does. The more we get together and share, the more it will increase everybody’s knowledge.

Your job is to meet your client where they are, mentally and emotionally. Be ready to set boundaries if necessary about behaviors that are intolerable, but otherwise, show up with compassion, patience, and a thick skin.

One of the most personal forms of grief can come from the loss of a pet. Our relationships with our pets are special: yes, we love them because they are cute and funny, but we also love them because they are ours.

As a doula, you should be paying close attention to what is going on with your client families as the patient goes through their transition. The concerns they have can only be addressed if someone knows what those concerns are.

Some cultures talk about how everyone needs a “third place” in their life. Home is your first place, work is the second. Your third place might be a local bar, an intramural baseball team, a book club, or a quilting circle.

No matter how you choose to identify, the perspective you bring to the IDLM community is valued. Every different skill set, every different point of view, adds to our community and increases the types of information and support we are able to give each other and our clients.

If you’re reading this blog you are probably already a part of the Death Positive movement, or at the very least, you would consider yourself death-curious. From a certain point of view, death as a conversation topic shouldn’t seem unusual at all. People have been dying for as long as…