IN

sacred
SPACE

the role of the death worker, doula, death midwife, guide

CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com
@cait.deathdoula
 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

Sacred;
Adj.

Entitled to and worthy of

reverence and respect,
highly valued and
important.

Death is sacred.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

What is a death worker?

The term death worker, death doula, death midwife, and

end-of-life planner, among many others, are all used
interchangeably to describe the role of this particular
individual.

*In this context such individuals will be referred to as

death workers.

A death worker is a non-medical professional who

serves people and their "webs"
before, during, and after
the sacred experience of death.

Death workers will often serve in a holistic capacity

including services that align with
the mental, emotional, and spiritual facets of death.
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In the modern age, people are dying alone and often

times in hospitals. Removed from their webs of support,
and different than how humans once were able to die.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

What is a death worker?

In turn, the way we face death has changed.

It has become something we don't face

until it knocks us off our feet.

And at that point, it can be 'to little to late', as

that time should be dedicated to the grieving.

All this said, a death worker can fill in the gaps that our
modern-day world has created.

A death worker is an ancient offering.

Stewarding humans through death for as long as humans

have existed. Innumerable time.

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A death worker has always "worn many hats" as they do
today, too.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

Death workers today are emerging and blooming

like 'wildflowers in the meadow';
arriving back at the original position, the bedside.

This emergence is key to change, especially in the

USA, where death has been placed in the hands of
institutions since the Civil War era.

These systems are burdened, present day,

and do not (cannot) encompass all of humanities
current needs.

A death worker is not required to hold state

licensing at this current time.

There are certifying programs that range in quality,

value, and price.
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Although, legally, there is nothing that is

required to call oneself a death worker
and practice as a death worker.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

Death workers are compassionate individuals that

educate and guide on the sacred event of death.

Death workers are individual, and may offer one or

two services, while others may offer a wide range.

Some death workers practice specifically with

humans, some with animals, others specific to
support at the bedside, others in advance care
planning and legacy-making.

There are directories available to

locate a proficient guide in your area.

From there you can discover as to what services

the chosen practitioner directly offers.

A death worker may 1

work alongside a
hospice/palliative care, caregivers, funeral homes,
social workers, spiritual advisors.

A death worker is part of the team.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

Death workers would prefer to get to know their people

before death is 'on the doorstep'.

Building this rapport adds trust, making a more 'whole'

and custom end-of-life experience.

'Healthy' people are welcomed to explore mortality

equally to someone with a 'terminal' diagnosis.

We are all going to die.

We are all headed in that
direction rather than the opposite.

Death wellness is life wellness.

Death workers support people on getting

clear in their beliefs.

We create a space that often

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is shut down or non-
existent, even with those closest to us.

Death workers are active listeners; a true delight in

today's world. Listening to understand rather than
listening to respond. Judgement-free.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

Death workers will meet you where you are.

An anchor, and a resource.

A sacred event, as death, demands

people meet in whatever
mental, emotional, spiritual state a person is in.

Death workers understand death anxiety is very real.

Death workers have experienced their own death anxiety

to understand this.

Death is one of humans greatest fears and the unknown

mystery of it all adds to that.

Death workers know the fear

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is real and will meet you
there.

Death workers have tools and techniques to look at the

fears and discover how to navigate them.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

Death workers understand this is YOUR death.

A death worker is not making decisions, rather

empowering you with options
to make your own, educated choice.

Death workers are advocates.

The practitioner will companion and navigate

through the sacred time.

Death is hard, you don't have to go through it alone.

Death workers will provide in-person

care and virtual care.

This transition requires support and your worker will

be a part of this time, as much or as little, as chosen.
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A death worker will have access to a full spectrum of

resources depending on an individuals beliefs,
religious practices, cultural heritage, rituals, etc.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

Death workers are resources.

A death worker will find out the answer if it is unknown.

Death workers connect with other practitioners,

and members of the greater community,
to fulfill certain roles.

Death workers are as unique and

individual as YOU, and that's a gift.

Toni Morrison wrote,

"If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been
written yet, then you must write it."

A companion is out there to fit with your needs, and if not,

become what you need.
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Humanity, minus the last century or two,

have always interacted with our dead.

We can remember again.

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 CAIT MADDAN
www.caitmaddan.com

Here are a few questions to think about or journal.

Bonus points if you talk to another human about them.

*No worries, you won't really get points.

What was your inital reaction when you heard the term,
"death doula"?

What influenced this thought behind the reaction?

How has this inital reaction become a more expanded

concept?

Cait Maddan, Death Doula.

at www.caitmaddan.com
@cait.deathdoula

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