When considering end-of-life care, you may wonder about working with a death doula or hospice. Both services offer compassionate support at end-of-life. They also both provide a unique approach to care, ensuring emotional, physical, and spiritual needs are met.

While both services offer support, they do so differently. Understanding these differences can help you or a loved one make a more informed decision about what’s right for you during such a deeply personal phase of life.

These two roles can complement one another. Let’s explore how they might fit into your personal journey as you navigate this important stage of life.

Death Doulas vs Hospice Care: How They Work Together for a Good Death

When you’re considering end-of-life care, it can feel overwhelming trying to decide what services will best support you or a loved one. 

Let’s compare the work of death doulas and hospice nurses and explore how their services can complement one another and offer you and your family compassionate support throughout the dying process.

The Role of a Death Doula

A death doula, also known as an end-of-life doula or death midwife, provides non-medical support to both the dying person and their family.

Unlike hospice workers, death doulas focus on offering emotional and spiritual guidance rather than medical care. Death doulas might, for example, sit with the dying person, help them process their emotions, and guide family members through the emotional challenges of the dying process. 

This emotional support can make all the difference for a dying person and the family facing a loss.

Some end-of-life doulas also assist with legacy work, helping create lasting memories through letters, recordings, or art therapy. Their role is deeply personal, often shaped by the needs and wishes of the individual they are serving.

Many people compare a death doula to a birth doula, as both focus on transitions in life—one at birth, the other at death. You may even hear them called death midwives or end-of-life coaches.

These professionals provide compassionate support, creating a calm and meaningful space for the dying person to reflect and make peace with their journey.

Death doula services are often hired privately, and many offer a flat fee for their care. Some may have gone through training from the National End of Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) EOLD Certification or received certifications through organizations like the National End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA)

Recommended Death Doulas in the Triangle Region

If you’re looking for compassionate support during the dying process, the Triangle area has several skilled death doulas who can guide you and your loved ones through this difficult time.

• Holly Menard brings her lifelong experience in healthcare to her role as a death doula, having served as a chemotherapy nurse and massage therapist. After the sudden loss of her son, she found her calling as a companion and guide for families facing death, incorporating forgiveness work and ceremony into her care when needed.
• Jane Dornemann, trained by both the International End of Life Doula Association and the University of Vermont, volunteers with Duke Hospice and has cultivated a strong community of doulas in the Triangle. Her passion for education and community-building makes her a trusted resource for families looking for end-of-life support.
• Holly Lux-Sullivan, a compassionate death doula, brings nearly 20 years of experience as a hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor. As an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister and certified death doula, Holly supports individuals and families during end-of-life transitions. Her approach is rooted in warmth and honesty, offering emotional guidance and practical advice tailored to each family’s unique situation. Holly’s deep expertise in advanced illness care allows her to provide comfort and advocacy, helping clients make the most of their remaining time together.
• The Doula Hearts: Shawna Barlette and Joni Porter are certified end-of-life doulas with The Doula Hearts. Shawna brings a professional background in human resources, focusing on compassion and care during end-of-life transitions. Joni’s experiences center around working closely with people, giving her a unique perspective on living and dying. Together, they offer emotional and practical support to both individuals and their families, aiming to make the final journey one of peace and dignity.

Each of these doulas offers compassionate, knowledgeable care that can provide comfort and guidance during one of life’s most challenging moments.

The Role of Hospice Care

Hospice care, on the other hand, is a medical service designed for individuals with a terminal illness who have six months or less to live. 

A hospice team consists of healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and social workers who focus on providing palliative care—providing pain and symptom management to ensure comfort in the final days.

Hospice also includes respite care for family caregivers and additional support with legal paperwork, advance directives, and coordinating funeral services. Hospice care is usually covered by insurance, and many local hospices work alongside national organizations like the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

While hospice care is centered around managing the physical aspects of the dying process, such as symptom management and medical care, it also provides emotional and spiritual support through counselors, chaplains, and social workers.

Hospice care teams often work closely with family members to educate them on the stages of dying and how to provide compassionate care during this time.

Contact us at Endswell Funeral Home to learn more about how we work with hospices and death doulas to provide comprehensive services and concierge care. Endswell focuses on eco-friendly funeral options, including aquamation, low-emission green cremation, and green burial services. We also serve as the family’s advocate and we work closely with end-of-life caregivers. 

How Death Doulas and Hospice Teams Work Together

Many people choose to have both hospice care and a death doula because the two services complement each other so well.

• Hospice workers handle the medical side of care, ensuring that the dying individual remains comfortable and that their pain and symptoms are managed. Depending on the organization you select for care, they may also provide emotional and spiritual support.
• Death doulas step in to offer the emotional and spiritual support that can sometimes get lost in the clinical nature of medical services. They also work with families to help everyone cope with a difficult time.

This combination provides a holistic approach to end-of-life care, ensuring someone addresses all aspects of end-of-life care— including physical, emotional, and spiritual support.

In some cases, a death doula may help bridge the gap between the hospice team and the family. Former hospice nurses sometimes become death doulas, understanding firsthand the medical complexities while offering the more personal touch of a doula.

Together, the hospice team and death doula create a robust support system that makes the dying process as peaceful and meaningful as possible.

Choosing What’s Right for You

Every end-of-life journey is unique, and the decision to bring on hospice care, a death doula, or both is personal.

Some families may feel they need the emotional and spiritual guidance that a death doula offers, while others may be more focused on medical care.

It’s important to talk with your loved ones and care providers to determine what kind of support best suits your needs. Most funeral homes are not familiar with the work of death doulas. At Endswell, we believe that death doulas and hospice nurses can work together to provide holistic end–of-life care.  

By understanding the differences between death doula services and hospice care, you can create a plan that honors the dying person’s wishes and offers peace of mind for their family members. 

Whether you choose one or both, having a compassionate support system in place ensures that the journey to a good death is met with care, dignity, and respect.

Endswell Funeral Home Helps You Find Your Way

At Endswell Funeral Home, we understand that the end-of-life journey is deeply personal and emotional. That’s why we offer more than just traditional funeral services—we’re here to provide compassionate, eco-friendly care that supports both you and the environment.

Whether you’re planning ahead or facing immediate loss, we’re ready to guide you through every step with dignity and respect.

A Personalized Approach to Funeral Care

We know that each family has unique needs and wishes. At Endswell, we offer concierge funeral care tailored specifically to what matters most to you.

Whether you’re interested in our aquamation (water cremation), low-emission cremation, or green burial services, our team is committed to helping you honor your loved one in the most meaningful way.

We take the time to listen and ensure every detail of the service reflects the life you’re celebrating.

Eco-Friendly Options That Align with Our Values

At Endswell, we’re proud to offer eco-conscious funeral options like

• Water cremation (also known as aquamation)
• Low-emission green cremation
• Green burial

These choices allow you to care for your loved one while minimizing the environmental impact,  aligning with our broader commitment to protecting the earth for future generations.

1- Aquamation (Water Cremation)

Aquamation uses less energy than traditional cremation and avoids releasing harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Aquamation is an environmentally friendly alternative to fire cremation. Rather than using 1700-degree heat, Aquamation uses a more gentle process that does not involve burning and combusting the body at high temperatures. No toxic and greenhouse gasses are emitted into our environment, and only 1/10th of the energy is consumed. 

2- Low-Emission Green Cremation

For those who seek a more sustainable yet traditional option, our low-emission green cremation services provide a way to care for your loved one while reducing environmental impact. Unlike traditional cremation, which releases harmful greenhouse gases, green cremation uses the newest cremation technology to capture toxic emissions. 

3- Green Burial

We partner with green burial grounds so that you can find the best resting place for yourself or a loved one. Options in the Triangle region of North Carolina include:

• Bluestem Conservation Cemetery: Located in Cedar Grove, this 87-acre natural cemetery emphasizes minimal environmental impact, using biodegradable materials and eco-friendly practices. When you choose Bluestem, you’re not just selecting a burial plot; you’re contributing to the conservation of the local ecosystem. 
• Maplewood & Beechwood Cemeteries: These historical cemeteries in Durham are embracing green burial practices, offering natural burial sections that avoid embalming fluids and toxic chemicals.
• Westwood Cemetery: This cemetery in Carrboro provides a serene and historical setting for green burials, avoiding the use of embalming fluids and toxic chemicals to maintain the natural beauty of the land.
• Historic Oakwood Cemetery: Situated in Raleigh, Oakwood Cemetery offers a dedicated green burial section called “Mordecai’s Meadow,” where you can honor your loved ones in an eco-friendly way.

Our services allow you to honor your loved one in a way that aligns with your values while also contributing to a healthier planet.

The Reliquarium and Urn Gallery at Endswell: A Thoughtful Tribute

Our Reliquarium offers a beautiful and carefully curated selection of urns for families who choose cremation.

Our locally handcrafted pieces offer choices as unique as the individual they honor, offering a meaningful way to keep your loved one close. We believe that the vessel you choose should reflect the life and legacy of the person you’re remembering. And we’ve created a space where you can find something truly special.

Whether it’s a simple, understated design or a more artistic and personalized urn, our Reliquarium is here to help you find the perfect tribute.

Support for You and Your Family

Losing a loved one is difficult, and we’re here to provide more than just logistical support. Our team is dedicated to offering emotional care resources, from grief counseling to helping you navigate the overwhelming decisions that come with loss.

We want you to feel informed and supported every step of the way, whether you’re choosing a memorial service, a natural burial, or working on legacy projects that help preserve the memory of your loved one.

Endswell’s Concierge Funeral Care

We invite you to experience funeral care that is both compassionate and environmentally responsible. Whether you’re planning in advance or seeking immediate services, our team at Endswell is ready to provide the support you need.

Contact us today to learn more about our eco-friendly funeral options, including aquamation, low-emission green cremation, and green burial services. Find out how we can help you create a meaningful farewell for your loved one.