Local doula sheds light on end-of-life support

District doula Esther Guinea shared with attendees how she found the profession, the importance of doulas and the different services they offer.

Ms Guinea said an end-of-life doula used their knowledge and skills to inform clients of their options at all stages.

“Death, dying and even ageing can be hard to talk about in our culture,” she said.

“(We) have an intimate knowledge of what is needed prior, during and after the big event.

“The role is broad and is dependent on what the client needs and wants.”

Kathy Elder also shared her own experience with her husband’s doula.

Mrs Elder’s husband Bill was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2021 and given only six months to live.

When he eventually passed away, everything was run exactly as he had wanted it, from the funeral plans right down to what he wore.

Mrs Elder said all the plans they made with their end-of-life doula was a huge help.

“Our end-of-life doula was interstate at the time ... but because we knew what to expect and had everything planned, we did not actually need her there,” she said.

“Her job of supporting us throughout the journey gave us the confidence that we needed as a family to see us through the immediate aftermath of Bill’s death and beyond.

“Having an end-of-life doula as part of our multi-dimensional model of care was so beneficial to Bill, me and our family ... our hope is everyone gets access to an end-of-life doula.”

Celebrant Tracie Kyne also briefly talked about how her work intersected with the doulas.

Following the presentation, fellow doula Tanya Collins joined Ms Guinea and Mrs Elder to help answer questions from attendees.

Guests had plenty of questions on the day, ranging from the costs of services to how doulas navigate conversations of death.

Others were also interested in how they could become an end-of-life doula.