What does a Death Doula do?

[@MaryAnglin]

My son passed this past April at the University of Washington Medical Center. The entire staff treated this as a sacred event. I was so surprised, and so deeply grateful.

[@avygrey2817]

I just want to say I'm completely moved. I have been feeling the calling for 3 years so strong and so deep, I've felt lost, in sea of change. And alone, hearing your words gave more hope then I have felt in so long.

[@SacredDeathcare]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm launching a new course in a few weeks for those who feel deeply which teaches you how to stay centered & grounded while caring for the dying that may be of benefit to you. www.sacreddeathcare.com/HEB I also invite you to download a free e-book, The Principles of Sacred Deathcare: sacreddeathcare.com/ebook/ All the best, Sarah

[@robbin8104]

I have been a practicing hospice nurse for about 15 years, 13 years only hospice, in the U.S.. My sister-in-law in England is spiritually guided as you are and I asked she and her group could send me energy and healing after a recent concern. They saw me as beginning to teach and recommended outside the box ie Doula etc. I had no idea what they were talking about, so she forwarded this information. So I've been a nurse, apparently practicing as a Doula for many years. But to be in practice for myself in Florida and to expand the knowledge and relaxation regarding death and dying in a baby-boomer society is so exciting for me. I've considered retiring but I absolutely love what I do. I love being on the "Front line" with patient and family and guiding the transition. I thank you so very much for your information and guidance. I ask, what about when children are dying, how different is the approach. I've only cared for a few dying children but refuse to in my current job, as I don't feel I can truly handle their death (oddly as I've attended thousands of deaths). Would you recommend I recommend another Doula or process or just learn to deal with it? Again thanks for your information. [e-mail]

[@marykeenan2282]

You are amazing Dr Sarah!

[@authentictothecore]

Thank you for sharing Sarah. I am only beginning my research. There is so much to consider.

[@staciejean]

Hi Sarah! Thank you so much for all that info! You were so encouraging!I have only recently come to this idea of becoming a death doula as an occupation. I do not know which "aspect" of it that I'm meant to serve in, I just have felt the calling to sit bedside with those who are dying, comforting them or their family how ever I can. I love how you tied your interest to this field being related to truth and how all the superfluous stuff just falls by the wayside when we are in the presence by death. That is a strong feeling of mine as well. To be honest, it feels like one of the very few "places " on this earth where that authenticity of the soul is brought to the forefront. I lost my 22 year old son 2 years ago come this Thanksgiving 2021. It has broken me and mended me in ways I never could have imagined. I truly believe that our greatest blessing can come from our greatest pain. I feel it has been my fervent desire to find medicine for my own sacred wound of losing my boy, and now I feel I just want to share it. Not that I have any profound knowledge to give I just want to give my comfort in any way it can be of service. I have been around alot of death in my life, I'm 51 now and I have already survived many deaths of those close to me. My mother died in my arms of a heart attack, i was with my father when he took his last breath and i survived my brother's suicide, not to mention being a live in care taker for my mother in law as she died a very slow painful death from cancer. Death surrounds me. And when I lost my baby, it shook something in me so deeply- That I just feel like it is all I wish to do with my time. It feels like the only worthwhile thing. I'm sure people / family/friends think I'm nuts for feeling this way, especially after having suffered my own extremely painful loss, but I can see now I cannot deny it any further. I want and need to be used in this way in whichever capacity I am meant to. I plan on learning more from your videos and very possibly purchasing your class to help hone in on which area of being a doula interests me the most. Thank you again for your encouragement and refreshing perspective..I honestly cannot wait to help spread it!!!😇✨

[@SacredDeathcare]

Hello Stacie, I am sorry to hear about your son's death and glad my words resonated with you. If you are interested in learning more about the spiritual and energetic dynamics that happen around death, I invite you to download a free e-book, The Principles of Sacred Deathcare. You will also find information there on the courses that we offer. My suggestion would be to take the first course, Awakening the Archetype of the Deathwalker, and I think it will give you a good introduction to the teachings. All the best in your healing, Sarah

[@staciejean]

@Sarah Kerr, PhD - Sacred Deathcare Thank you for the reply, I will definitely look into it😇

[@nowimthis]

Thank you so much for making this video and the course. I'm excited about it.

[@thuff1947]

It has been one year since my Dad passed from a 7 year battle with prostate cancer. Most of my life I feared death. All that changed when I had the honor of taking the journey with my Dad as he transitioned from this world. I'm forever changed through this experience. I've been praying to be shown a way to help others while they are going through this journey. I want to be apart of this movement. Pleas tell me where to start. Thank you.

[@SacredDeathcare]

I'm sorry to hear about your dad, but glad that you were able to walk with him as he died. We need lots more people who have those skills! If you're interested, I have on online course called How to Become a Death Doula. You can download the first module for free here. soulpassages.ca/become-death-doula-2/ I hope that helps. All the best, Sarah

[@thuff1947]

Sarah Kerr, Death Doula Thank you for the information.

[@SacredDeathcare]

@@thuff1947 :-)

[@marycartter2095]

It's me again! Another aspect that I already offer to my friends is to be with their pet as they pass on. Some folks can't bear it, but I feel that your pet should not make that final walk alone. I sing lullabies to each one of my dogs and when their time comes, I sing their lullaby to them.

[@SacredDeathcare]

Pets are like members of our family, and grieving them well is so important!

[@pakababy3710]

I'm glad I was able to watch your video before I chose and paid for a certification course.

[@karenvantsant8464]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom Sarah. I have just recently discovered your videos. I'm starting similar work in The Netherlands (Europe) as a Levenseinde Coach (=end of life coach). So indeed the movement is spreading world wide. Your videos inspire me to continue on this path. Thanks again!

[@SacredDeathcare]

Thanks Karen, it's great to hear that you are doing this work too!

[@melissasherrill9528]

Very interested in this . I’ve taken care of patients that I was with when they passed. I felt great helping them to realize they can let go & going forward into the after life.

[@auradiana]

Excellent video, the philosophies that support your work are wonderful and I resonate with them, blessings!

[@auradiana]

so long ago. .

[@63yvette]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us about what a Death Doula/a Death Midwife or an End of Life Doula (EOLD) does. Having recently become an EOLD, I have been grappling with where to focus my attention. When I took the course back in May 2019, there were a lot of areas of this work that were covered. I have found that I love providing counseling to people as they deal with anxiety about their death, the death of a loved one, or the death of a friend. I am also interested in working with people after the death of a loved one - doing grief counseling. Still have not figured out my target audience since most of my clients/patients find me by word of mouth or on the Internet usually though FB. I was glad to hear you say that it took you a little while to find out what it was that you were drawn to and who your target population is. I still have time to explore my two areas a little bit more. I am also thankful for your mention of the "psychopomp". I had never heard that term used before. When you defined it, it fit so well with who I am that my ears perked up. I am intrigued and now want to learn more about it and how that archetype fits for me as an End of Life Doula. You mentioned in an earlier response joining a FB group. I would love to do that but did not see a link to it.

[@SacredDeathcare]

Glad this resonated for you, Yvette! The Facebook group is facebook.com/groups/306940662720202/ You may also be interested in joining my mailing list, I send out lots of educational videos. The URL for that is soulpassages.ca/soul-passages-updates/ All the best, Sarah

[@innershawnti]

This has been very informative, a lovely video, Thank you. I have decided I want to go into this field, and am excited by the prospects of trailblazing, and to that of offering connection to the dying process. Seeing as this video is now 7 years old, I know a lot has changed, grown , and has taken shape since then. In Toronto, currently, there are two courses I am looking into. One is $700 for a weekend of training, and the other is $1800 for a 5 month period of study... Such a difference. So I guess it comes down to preference, with the room to bridge in skills after I've entered the field?

[@jacquiblackburn743]

This is my field from experiences of my own experiences 🙏

[@Lamplighter888]

Your link for your course is not working.

[@jennjo822]

In the last 2 years it has become clear to me that being a death doula is part of my path. It is something that has just kind of happened to me, a roll that sought me.. almost. As I look back at my life I can see how I have been groomed through life experiences, slowly awoken to this point. Even as a child. I am not dark at all, in fact I’m very yin. I’m also a master gardener and I’m told that my garden has something to do with this. People do act nervous around me, and I’m not sure how I feel. How do I step into this roll?

[@SacredDeathcare]

Hello Jennifer, If you’re called to work with dying people and their families, it's likely that you are sensitive and attuned to subtle and spiritual information in the energetic field. I have a FREE mini-class that teaches you how to stay grounded when carrying supporting dying and grieving people you may find helpful. sacreddeathcare.com/program/healthy-emotional-boundaries-for-end-of-life-helpers/ If you want to go even deeper, then I invite you to take a look at my course Archetype of the Deathwalker which helps to further activate this wisdom. sacreddeathcare.com/program/awakening-the-archetype-of-the-death-walker/ All the best, Sarah

[@Dumperdivingdiva]

Hello am also a death doula and funeral director, I love my work but am finding no support in my area. Is there a place to go to see if there is anyone near me that i can talk to about what we do?

[@SacredDeathcare]

I'd suggest joining this facebook group, there are members all over the world and it's a great place to have these conversations. facebook.com/groups/306940662720202/ I hope that helps. All the best, Sarah

[@marycartter2095]

Thank you for the info Sarah Kerr. God bless all

[@ladybethmedium1100]

Hello looks good

[@SacredDeathcare]

Thank you for watching. All the best, Sarah

[@PeterMcLoughlinStargazer1877]

I like the Philosopher physics approach.

[@vanessarenmd7010]

How do you deal with your role as a Death Doula when it overlaps with the presence of medical personnel? For example, when you are sharing a patient's bedside with Hospice nurses, is your role accepted by them? Do you run into conflicts or battles over "jurisdiction?" As a physician, I can totally see how certain medical professionals might be prone to steamrolling you or otherwise dismissing your expertise.

[@SacredDeathcare]

Hi Vanessa Each death doula is different, but my role is very distinct from the medical personnel. They have their expertise and I have mine, there very little overlap, and I actually rarely even meet them. My approach is about the relational and spiritual experiences of dying, not the physical. I don't spend much time at the bedside during active dying, I'm more in conversation with the person earlier, and then with their family about how to support them, and about after-death plans. I help the whole family navigate the process, offering spiritual guidance (from a broad, nature-based perspective), and helping build a spiritual community out of friends and family. It's a kind of social worker/chaplain/clergy role, but not exactly like any of them. I work as much with the family as the dying person and, most importantly, continue supporting them until after the funeral (which I often officiate). You're right about medical folks. When I meet people socially and tell them what I do, the response is almost universally one of curiosity and interest, with people excited that there are new ways to meet death. The almost universal exception to that trend is when I meet physicians, and they are (almost) universally politely dismissive. Nurses are generally really interested. We clearly have a long way to go! :-) Here's a link to some blog posts with client stories, they might help explain more. soulpassages.ca/category/client-stories/ Cheers, Sarah

[@MsLouise1960]

I never naturally chose to be offering service of pathing in passing over but at thirteen I was made to. My grandmother had a magnetising aura as did my mother too. I am feeling no one knows cause no one talks a bout it. Families must go through it themselves !

[@SacredDeathcare]

A big part of my work is normalizing the experience and building a community where others of similar mind can connect. If you are interested in learning more about the spiritual and energetic dynamics that happen around death, I invite you to download a free e-book, The Principles of Sacred Deathcare Best, Sarah

[@MikkiInWaiting]

It seems the video Course you talk about is no longer available. Do you have another option by any chance?

[@SacredDeathcare]

You can find all my courses here sacreddeathcare.com/our-courses/ I hope that helps, and please let me know if you have any more questions. Cheers, Sarah

[@MysticDeathDoula]

Just signed up and shared!

[@SacredDeathcare]

Thank you so much. I appreciate you. All the best, Sarah

[@TheValarieKay]

There is so much that I would like to ask and say about this path

[@delaneymonica6390]

Can one become one with no prior undergrad or grade school?

[@SacredDeathcare]

Absolutely you can! I'd suggest exploring my course How to Become a Death Doula - you can download the first module for free at soulpassages.ca/become-death-doula-2/

[@sugarrainbowkisses]

What are qualities a death doula would need?

[@SacredDeathcare]

The most important skill is to have done your own emotional work around death, because you can't help anyone to go where you haven't gone yourself. :-)

[@sorchasam3252]

I love this video. Thanks so much. I stumbled across you on Facebook and had to search for more of you. Most of my life I've had a severe fear of death, but through that i feel a huge need to be of comfort for people in their dying comfort. Especially spiritually and giving my love and comfort to them. I am worried that "hard deaths" will bring on severe anxiety for me though as I suffered from panic attacks for years regarding fear of death. Am I crazy to think I could work in palliative care or with the dying?

[@myevolution-fw5ob]

I had a fear of death also untill Jesus came into my life. His word brings me such comfort and peace.

[@sorchasam3252]

An update for anyone reading my comment above. I now work as a carer (CNA) and have sat with well over 20 people dying. I am not afraid of death anymore. I am now studying to be a Nurse with the hopes of becoming a palliative care nurse after my training. ❤

[@yvettebolling9710]

What's this about a class I just normally feel deaf I feel when somebody's going to die I get anxiety I get depression I get really sad and down I can just feel it I have even seen what I would say is the death angel it just comes natural for me to see these things so I don't really understand what would can I do with the gift to be able to feel death to know when someone is going to die what am I supposed to do with that.

[@SacredDeathcare]

I can understand how difficult it can be to navigate this sensitivity, which is one of the things I discuss in my course sacreddeathcare.com/program/awakening-the-archetype-of-the-death-walker/ I have a free e-book as well that you may find helpful: bit.ly/3fKohaA It most definitely is a gift and the work I do involves helping others learn how to manage it.

[@tomascambara5874]

Hi Sarah, I have been a hospice caregiver volunteer for most than 3 years and I feel my calling to be a death doula , your presentation in this video from three years ago convinced me to do it. How important is to be certified in this field now?

[@SacredDeathcare]

Hi Tomas, and thanks for your interest in this field! Here's another (short) video with an answer to your certification question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o53UZ5WOjNGEe6c

[@torrencewroblewski5601]

I am looking to get into death midwifery can I get some contact information for you?

[@SacredDeathcare]

Hi Torrie sorry, I just saw this. You can find lots of information on my website www.soulpassages.ca. I hope that helps, and please let me know if you have any more questions. I'm best reached by email at [e-mail] All the best, Sarah

[@readsworld]

Hello Sarah, from all the way here in the UK. It seems I am 4 years late to this party! Nonetheless, my curiosity has led me to your fascinating video. I have a question about this line of work and the type of “emotional resilience” one needs to do this effectively and without burnout. As you mention a lot in the video, people tend to feel drawn to this work, and I definitely feel a lot of resonance with what I’ve heard so far. However, experiencing the death and grief of others deeply affects me emotionally - I tend to feel the pain and grief, sometimes even more than they do! Perhaps subconsciously this is why I am so interested in the area, but my question is - is this common for people who are drawn to work as a death doula? And is this something that changes with more experience around the process of death and it’s aftermath? Do you become less emotionally affected? Thank you in advance for your time in answering my question. Amy

[@SacredDeathcare]

End-of-life work tends to attract people who are really sensitive, emotionally, energetically and spiritually. And that's good, but you need to learn how to manage that so you can use it well. If you’re called to sacred deathcare, if the archetype of the deathwalker is active in you, that impulse, that soul calling, to serve the dying and grieving in your community, then it's likely that you're sensitive. So if this archetype is active in you, if you have that sensitivity, you need to learn how to use it, and work with it. This is the basis of the work I do. If you're looking for resources and training on sacred deathcare, then all my programs and courses for death doulas, end-of-life practitioners and everyday mortals can be found via the link below: sacreddeathcare.com/programs/ Thank you so much the thoughtful response, Sarah

[@ananda_miaoyin]

@@SacredDeathcare I like how you answered this. I am checking out your site.

[@delaneymonica6390]

Do you feel ritual can look different for all teachers depending on how they work? Or do you feel its a set way?

[@SacredDeathcare]

It's completely dependent on the person leading the ritual, and their training and temperment, and for the person (people, place, etc) for whom the ritual is being done. In my mind, it's much more improvisation than following a recipe.

[@wbretz1]

Hi, thanks you gave a lot of helpful information about this. You mentioned wanting to travel to the US but that the Trump Admin. had made this difficult but even a year ago there is and was no problem traveling from Canada to the US what so ever..the restrictions were placed on thrid world countries that had unstable governments that couldn't properly vet travelers on their end and were hot beds of terrorism. I've traveled from Edmonton to Texas with no difficulties at all so you, too should be free to travel to the United States as often as you wish. Thanks again I will check out your online course also, God Bless!

[@SacredDeathcare]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. Yes, travelling is easy and possible. Travelling to work (and getting a working visa to do it) is next to impossible. Glad you enjoyed the video :-)

[@islestylelorna7348]

Hi, were did you recieve your PhD from in Ritual Healing from?

[@sarahkerr4123]

Hi Lorna and thanks for your interest! I did my PhD at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. You can read my dissertation here: bit.ly/1sJd9MB

[@SacredDeathcare]

Hi Lorna and thanks for your interest! I did my PhD at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. You can read my dissertation here: bit.ly/1sJd9MB

[@mustwereallydothis]

Are you in Alberta?

[@mustwereallydothis]

Never mind, I now know you're in Calgary

[@SacredDeathcare]

Actually, I lived in Calgary for years and last November I moved to Victoria. I still do lots of teaching and client work online though.