End-of-Life Doulas Recover a Lost Art of Dying

You’ve probably heard of a birth doula – someone whose job it is to coach mothers through childbirth. This story is about a new kind of doula – an end-of-life doula, whose role is to provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort to people in their final stage of life. In this story, we meet Zoe Francesca, a local end-of-life doula, and observe her as she works with her patient, Mimi. Zoe and Mimi’s interactions are a lesson in living well to the end. We also meet Katy Butler, a retired writer for the San Francisco Chronicle and author of the new book, The Art of Dying Well.

For more information about doulas, visit the end of life doula association at www.inelda.org.