Death Doula Services & Costs

Built to your specifications

A death doula is a non-medical support person who serves a dying individual, their loved ones, and/or their caregivers. Prior to medicalization and the emergence of professionalized death care, most people died at home where members of their community or family would tend to them and serve as a peaceful presence. Many people today state they want to be at home, but instead die in hospital beds, their caregivers unequipped to meet their needs or feeling incapable, intimidated, or overwhelmed. Death doulas can be part of the team that makes dignified home deaths possible. (Though we work anywhere we are welcome!) 

We answer questions, ease anxieties, serve as guides, and advocate for autonomy and dignity.  And death doulas aren’t only for the imminently dying. We assist people in all stages of life with advance care planning, resolving death anxiety, supporting grief, education and social justice activism, and other related issues.

Death doulas tend to be a flexible, curious, and present bunch—if there’s a need, we’re going to try to anticipate it, and if we’re not the ones to fill it, we’ll find the right person for the job. Whether you’re caring for sick elders, wrapping your head around your own end, or grappling with a chronic or life-limiting illness and its ramifications, there’s a good chance that a death doula’s services could be of use to you. 

Our services are built to order, meaning that they extend beyond this list to met the needs of the individual, family, and/or loved ones we’re serving at that time. Each doula relationship is unique as a result. Below is a non-exhaustive list of what a relationship with a death doula can do for you and yours.

Some of the things doulas do:

 

Assistance with completing advance directives for health care and death care

Assistance with fulfilling final wishes, healing relationships, and/or putting things in order

In-home, hospital, hospice, or nursing home visits

Companion care and caregiver relief/support

Holding space while life-support is discontinued (includes: after-death rituals and body preparation if desired)

Support with stillborn and infant death and bringing baby home for a home funeral

Suggestion of interventions for comfort of all present

Development of vigil plans

Guided imagery and meditations to help alleviate anxiety and suffering

Life review and legacy projects

Development of meaningful, accessible rituals for healing, commemoration, and continued bonds

Continuous bedside presence during the final stages of the dying process

Guidance with after death care of the body and home funerals

Coordinating with funeral homes

Assistance with funeral planning

Obituary and eulogy writing support

After death follow-up and grief support

Referral to other community resources as appropriate

We also:

  • Facilitate grief circles for marginalized communities

  • Create and deliver educational workshops for healthcare professionals, social worker, and other groups about death doula services

Sliding Scale

In order to provide services to as many individuals and families in our community as possible, we request your active participation in deciding your contribution. Please bear in mind that we are often socialized to see what we lack better than the big and small privileges we do have. We are open to questions and look forward to serving you.

  • Tier 1 | $0-$75 per hour

    • I frequently stress about meeting basic needs and don’t always achieve them.

    • I have debt that sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs.

    • Working through survival credit card debt.

    • I have no access to savings.

    • I have no or very limited expendable income. I qualify for government assistance, including food stamps and healthcare.

    • My family does not have access to assets; I send money to my family when able.

    • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing.

  • Tier 2 | $75-$125 per hour

    • I may stress about meeting my needs sometimes but I regularly achieve them.

    • I have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs. May include student loans, and most people in my family have higher education.

    • I might have some savings.

    • I can take a vacation annually or every few years.

    • I have some expendable income; able to have some new items and some thrift.

    • My family has some assets, like owning a home. My housing is stable and mid- to higher-end.

  • Tier 3 | $125-$175 per hour

    • I am able to meet all of my basic needs.

    • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment.

    • I have access to savings and both earned and unearned assets.

    • I can afford an annual vacation and/or take time off without financial burden.

    • I have expendable income.

    • My family has assets like investments and property. Someone else contributes to my rent, mortgage, or down-payment.

    • I own my home and/or rent a higher-end property. I have or anticipate inheriting property. I own or lease a car.

This sliding scale and some of the associated verbiage was introduced to PDDC via the Andean Medicine for Liberation workshop hosted by Coca Rosa at Centro Corona. PDDC acknowledges and appreciates the intellectual labor performed in creating such effective tools! If you are aware of the original creator of this scale, please let us know as we would like to credit and/or compensate them.

End of life care as unique as you are.

The Philly Death Doula Collective seeks to provide care that enables the individual to live as fully as possible, even when the medical prognosis is terminal.

Every transition from life to death is sacred and unique. We believe everyone deserves a good death. We are currently located in Philadelphia and are willing to travel to serve your needs.