What is the difference between a soul midwife and a death doula?
Have you ever heard the terms Soul Midwife and Death Doula and wondered if they're the same thing? – What’s the difference??
The truth is, both roles are about one very important thing: supporting people and their families through one of life's most profound journeys.
The terms Soul Midwife and Death Doula are often used interchangeably because both involve providing non-medical, holistic support to people who are dying and to their families. However, there are some differences in origin, training, and emphasis.
✨Death Doula
A Death Doula (sometimes called an End-of-Life Doula) is a broad term for someone who provides emotional, practical, educational, and spiritual support before, during, and after death.
A Death Doula may:
• Help individuals and families prepare for death.
• Facilitate conversations about wishes, values, and advance care planning.
• Provide companionship and emotional support.
• Support family members and caregivers.
• Assist with legacy projects, life review, and meaningful rituals.
• Offer vigil support at the bedside.
• Provide bereavement support after death.
There is no single governing body or standardised training pathway, so training and practice can vary considerably.
✨Soul Midwife
Soul Midwife is a specific model of end-of-life care developed by Felicity Warner in the UK.
Soul Midwifery places a strong emphasis on:
• Spiritual and holistic care.
• Deep listening and compassionate presence.
• Supporting the emotional, spiritual, and energetic needs of the dying person.
• Gentle comfort measures such as relaxation, guided imagery, touch (where appropriate), music, aroma, and creating a peaceful environment.
• Supporting the family before and after death.
• Helping people find meaning, peace, and completion at the end of life.
• A Soul Midwife can also assist with legacy projects, life review, and meaningful rituals.
Many Soul Midwives describe their role as "midwifing" a person through the process of dying in the same way a birth midwife supports a person through birth.
✨Key Differences
✨In Practice
In reality, there is often significant overlap. Many Soul Midwives would also be considered Death Doulas, and many Death Doulas provide support that is very similar to Soul Midwifery.
A simple way to think about it is:
Death Doula = the broad profession of non-medical end-of-life support.
Soul Midwife = a particular philosophy and approach within that profession, with a strong focus on compassionate presence, spirituality, and holistic care.
For someone considering training, the best choice often depends on whether they are drawn more toward practical end-of-life planning and advocacy, or toward the spiritual, emotional, and holistic aspects of accompanying people through the dying process.
Neither role replaces doctors, nurses, or hospice teams. Instead, they complement the care already being given, ensuring that no one feels alone during this important time.
💚Find out more about my Soul Midwife role here
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