FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What IS a doula?
Doulas have been practicing in many cultures since ancient times, supporting people at birth, through illnesses, and at the end of life. The word "doula" originates from the ancient Greek term meaning "a woman who serves." In the 20th century, the term evolved to refer commonly to professionals who provide physical, emotional and other practical support before, during, following birth. In the 21st century, a new kind of doula has emerged-- the End of Life (EOL) Doula-- in response to shifting attitudes about death, a growing population of progressive baby boomers, and increasing interest in establishing legacies and personalizing the end of life experience. Other terms used for End of Life doulas include: End of Life Guides, Death Doulas, Death Midwives, and Soul Midwives.
How does an eol doula fit into palliative or hospice care?
Palliative care is introduced when a person who is dying seeks to manage their symptoms and extend their life using medical treatments and interventions. This kind of care usually involves a team of doctors, specialists, and other health professionals within a hospital setting. Hospice care is offered when a person cannot be cured and they decide to forgo medical intervention to prolong life. Hospice care is intended to provide comfort and neither delay or hasten death. In the U.S., most people in hospice care die in their own homes. Others may enter hospice care in a hospital or an acute care hospice if comfort cannot be achieved at home or without some medical support. EOL doulas can provide support to people and their families within all of these setting. As necessary, doulas will ensure a dying person's Advance Medical Directive and vigil plans are communicated and coordinated with their family, friends, and caregiving team. In these settings, EOL doulas are on hand to support the dying and their loved ones before, during, and immediately following death.
ARE EOL DOULA SERVICES RELIGIOUS?
IKIRU is not religiously based. Doula services are offered to people of all faiths or no faiths, and intended to be responsive to each client's unique goals and beliefs.
How much does a EOL doula cost?
End of Life Doulas establish their own fees for service. In the U.S., rates can range from $500-4,000 or more, depending on the kinds of services chosen and the number of attending doulas provided. Services may include creating legacy and vigil plans, facilitating legacy projects, conducting home visits, supporting you in evaluating options and making arrangements, and ensuring that vigil and funeral plans are met while allowing loved ones to be fully present during vigils and supported while they mourn.
At the core of IKIRU's work is the belief that no one should have to die alone. Recognizing that too many people endure serious illnesses or die with limited or no support, IKIRU offers a sliding fee scale to those who are often marginalized at the end of life -- the poor, the underinsured, the homeless, and the incarcerated.
At the core of IKIRU's work is the belief that no one should have to die alone. Recognizing that too many people endure serious illnesses or die with limited or no support, IKIRU offers a sliding fee scale to those who are often marginalized at the end of life -- the poor, the underinsured, the homeless, and the incarcerated.
what doesn't ikiru do?
IKIRU does not provide medical, legal, or psychological services. While many End of Life Doulas receive formal training on the dying and grieving processes, they are not certified as therapists or grief counselors. Rather, EOL Doulas are present to provide practical, emotional, and administrative support to families before, at the time of, and following death.
WHAT does IKIRU MEAN?
The word ikiru (生きる), pronounced "ih-KEE-roo", translates from the Japanese language to mean "to live" or "to be alive".