Death Doula Course

Module Two

“Death is not the opposite of life, but part of it.”

~Haruki Murakami~

What You Will Learn In Module Two

Section 1:

Introduction and general information

Section 2:

Death doulas for the dying

Section 3:

Birth of a death doula

Becoming a Death Doula
What do Death Doulas do?
Do you need a medical background to become a Death Doula?
Who becomes a Death Doula?
Does a Death Doula charge a fee?
Thinking of your own needs as a Death Doula
Caring for yourself while caring for others
Taking care of yourself & emotional support for yourself
Looking after yourself & being gentle with yourself

Section 4:

Death doulas will change how we are handling end-of-life care

What is the difference between an End-of-Life doula, Death Doula and a Mourning Doula?
End-of-Life Doula
The Death Doula
The Mourning Doula

Section 5:

Talking to the family members or patient that you are caring for

A wide range of emotions
Aggression and loss of control
Confusion and forgetfulness
Feelings of other family members and friends

Section 6:

Therapeutic communication

Using broad opening statements and open-ended questions
Using general leads
Reflecting
Sharing Observations
Acknowledging the patient’s feelings
Using silence
Giving information
Clarifying
Verbalizing implied thoughts and feelings

Exploring
Present reality
Voicing doubt
Suggesting collaboration & validating

Section 7:

End-of-life disease and emotional support

Emotions in terminal illness
Using general leads
What is emotional distress?
How can I assess someone’s emotional needs?
How can I provide emotional care?
What other help is available?
Emotional care for family and friends
Supporting a terminally ill person
How do you help someone who’s in denial about their pending death?

When is denial harmful?
Is it important to keep a vigil while the patient is near death?
Is it appropriate to tell the person dying that it is alright to let go?
What do you tell people who are struggling with guilt?

What advice should you give to those who are grieving?
‘Permission to die’ and ‘The good death’

Section 8:

Keeping the dying in mind

Section 9:

Accepting death

Section 10:

Some positive attitudes towards dying

Section 11:

Saying goodbye to a life

Section 12:

Supportive therapies for the dying

Guidance by the dying
General points on therapy
Aromatherapy and massage
Reiki
Reflexology
Physiotherapy
Keeping up comfort and appearance

Section 13:

Nursing the dying body

Section 14:

When death occurs

Physical
Emotional/spiritual/mental ‘letting go’
Signs and symptoms of the final stage of life:
Coolness
Sleeping
Disorientation
Incontinence
Congestion
Restlessness
Urine Decrease
Fluid and food decrease
Breathing pattern change
Normal emotional, spiritual and mental signs and symptoms with the appropriate responses:
Withdrawal
Vision-like experiences
Restlessness
Fluid and food decrease
Decreased socialization
Unusual communication
Giving permission
How will you know when death has occurred?