Podcast: End of Life Doula Work, Henry Fersko-Weiss, INELDA President

Henry Fersko-Weiss, INEDLA president and a presenter at the Art of Dying Conference talks with Ralph White of the New York Open Center about the history behind End of Life Doulas. What is the role and function of an end of life doula?

While the role of an End of life doula is also to sit bedside and be a companion and guide throughout the ‘active dying’ process, much of the doula work comes prior to that time. Henry explains how EOL doulas work with the families prior to the active dying process in capturing the meaning of the patient’s life, helping families to plan for those last days while the patient is still cognizant.  Doulas help the families deal with issues of meaning – capturing the person’s life in a concrete way which allows loved ones to carry on once they pass.

Listen to the full podcast below.