As a pastor at the Central Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater, Mass., Rev. Beth Stotts has always seen death as a natural part of her ministry. Guiding her congregants through their most vulnerable moments from birth throughout life, she recognized the need for more support in facing end-of-life issues. This realization led her to seek additional training, and in 2022 she became a certified end-of-life doula.
Stotts, who has been serving her community since 2012, believes that facilitating tough conversations and normalizing discussions around death can help alleviate turmoil and grief. With her professional certificate from the University of Vermont, she joined a growing number of end-of-life doulas who provide non-medical services to support the dying and their loved ones.
While the exact number of end-of-life doulas in the United States is not officially documented, organizations like the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) have seen a significant increase in membership, especially following the pandemic. In 2024, NEDA reported over 1,500 registered members, compared to approximately 250 in 2019.
The term “end-of-life doula” was first formally used in the early 2000s when the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services launched a program to train volunteers to accompany and comfort individuals who would otherwise die alone. Also known as death doulas, professionals like Stotts help clients navigate advanced care planning, including creating advance directives and discussing funeral arrangements.
Stotts also assists clients with legacy projects, helping them achieve certain goals or tie up loose ends before they pass. One memorable experience for her was helping a man write the story of how he met his wife, which he gave to her as a gift before his death. Stotts read the story at his funeral, highlighting the intimacy and beauty of the narrative.
As both a pastor and a doula, Stotts has worked with numerous individuals on their end-of-life journeys. She believes that just as people need doulas to guide them into life, they also need doulas to guide them out. With an open-minded approach and a willingness to simply be present, Stotts offers companionship and support to those facing the end of life.
This article was made possible by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, who support STAT’s coverage of chronic health issues. Our financial supporters do not influence the decisions made about our journalism.
