What death doulas can teach us about dying

Just nowSmitha MundasadHealth reporter Getty ImagesEnd-of-life doulas provide support, relay messages and help organise memorial servicesFor Rita Ball there's nothing more meaningful than holding a person's hand in their final moments."It is absolutely raw," Ball says, "to witness this life that is leaving the world."She's been there at someone's last breath multiple times.For three years, Ball has worked as a trained "death doula" in London, and as a non-medical end-of-life companion she supports individual families and volunteers in care homes for the NHS.Ball says people often ask her what they're "allowed to do" when their loved ones are in the process of dying."I hear a real sense of relief when I say it's OK to hold them, kiss them, play music, talk to them."You may have heard of doulas who help mothers during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. But death doulas, sometimes known as soul midwives, have been growing in popularity in the last 10 years.Emma Clare, chief executive of End of Life Doula UK, says 114 doulas joined her organisation in 2025 - a big increase on previous years.Recently celebrities including Nicole Kidman and Ruby Wax have announced they are training to become end-of-life doulas, and Davina McCall says