Additional Resources and Information
For a Deeper Understanding
Local and National End-of-Life Resources
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. NHPCO recognizes the value of doulas and has incorporated an End of Life Doula Advisory Council.
The National Home Funeral Alliance The heart of their work is helping families care for their loved ones at home, after death.
End of Life Choices Oregon Provides personal support and information regarding Death With Dignity and other legal end of life options to Oregonians facing end of life decisions and to the medical community.
This 3 minute video "POLST: When is the Right Time?" provides an overview of when to implement an advanced directive and when to activate a POLST in Oregon.
Final Exit Network believes that any competent person unbearably suffering an intractable medical condition has the option to die legally and peacefully.
Oregon Funeral Resources and Education Information on legal rights and resources for Oregonians who are providing after-death care for their loved ones.
NEDA The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance.
Evening Star In the Media
Dementia Sherpa, Christy Turner shares an podcast INTERVIEW with retired Evening Star partner Christine Borchert, "What's an End-of-Life Doula, and What Do They Do?"
Our friends at Solace Cremation wondered about the role of an end-of-life doula and captured the essentials in their blog, What is a Death Doula?
NWADEBS, Northwest Association for Death Education & Bereavement Support Member spotlight interviews Evening Star partner Deanna Hagy.
Ideas to Explore
Death DIY is a 5 minute documentary produced by University of Oregon film students. It portrays a home funeral.
Stephen Jenkinson-The founder of Orphan Wisdom. Author of the book Die Wise.
Caitlin Doughty visits Recompose in Washington state to educate us about natural organic reduction, also known as human composting.
Link to Griefwalker, a film exploring our relationship with death in North America. An introduction to Stephen Jenkinson.
Dying Wish-A sensitive and honest documentary showing a dying physician choosing to use VSED-Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking. Small rental fee to watch.
Being Mortal (film) FRONTLINE follows renowned New Yorker writer and Boston surgeon Atul Gawande as he explores the relationships doctors have with patients who are nearing the end of life.
- Open to Possibility -
Information is Key
"One way that Dr. Emanuel suggests we improve end of life care is by starting sooner. 'We need to be willing to acknowledge 6 or 12 months beforehand that a patient is not doing well and that death is going to happen,' he says. This is where doulas can contribute to improving care, because we can work with a patient and family very productively many months to a year before death is likely. When a dying person and family can work on questions of meaning and legacy, the resulting sense of purpose can lessen some of the symptoms that drive dying people to the hospital and acute care units." - Henry Fersko-Weiss of INELDA