My Role as a Soul Midwife
As a qualified Soul Midwife/End of Life Doula, my role is to support you (the person who is reaching the end of life) and also your family. This support may be in the form of emotional support, through conversation, shared reading or music; spiritual support (eg. meditation, Reiki); or may be practical support, for example taking you shopping or to the bank, or taking details of funeral arrangements and other end of life wishes.
I will offer information about local support services, funeral options and other relevant queries, but I will not advise on which option should be taken as that is always a personal choice.
I will encourage you to consider how you want to spend your remaining time and what your wishes are for your final hours, for example who you would like present, what music you'd like to listen to, etc.
If required, I will be a link between you and your family and/or the hospital or hospice.
I will show you and your family empathy, respect and warmth, while remaining non-judgemental, maintaining confidentiality and showing integrity.
The personally tailored support I offer will include:
- Face to face emotional/spiritual/practical support in your home or a mutually agreed location
- Telephone, email or video support during agreed hours
- Liaison with your family, including the establishment of a cascade of information and support
- Information about and signposting to other organisations/ agencies as appropriate
- Encouragement to be mindful of your emotional health and wellbeing at all times
- Support in the last days of life
- Support for your immediate family at the time of death and afterwards
My support may also include:
- Spiritual support (eg. meditation/Reiki)
- Essential oils (eg. hand massage/diffuse)
- Writing and conducting the funeral/memorial of choice
Confidentiality & Trust
Confidentiality is essential from a legal perspective and it also helps to establish a mutual sense of trust and openness. Once trust is established, a client may choose to share insights of a more personal nature. This might be something they haven’t previously shared, even with family, or it may be something they need to ‘get off their chest’ before they die.
All personal information shared between the client and myself will be considered private and will not be shared with anyone unless that is the client's wish. I may take notes after meeting with a client but these will be minimal and will be stored securely in a locked cabinet or on a password protected laptop.
There are some exemptions to confidentiality, for example if a client discloses to me something that constitutes a criminal act, or gives me cause to believe they may cause harm to others or to themself. In these cases, I will be legally bound to break confidentiality for their own or others’ protection.
At the first meeting with the client, a Contract will be agreed between the client and myself. This will include a Mission Statement, an explanation of confidentiality, a list of the services I am able to provide and the associated costs.