Living With Dying articles

Titles Used By End-of-life Guides

By Leah Carey
Aug. 30, 2016

According to a list provided by the National Home Funeral Alliance, there are numerous titles being used by people who help others in the death process.

Here is the text from their list (see the full graphic above)

End-of-life Transition Guide

Accompanies a dying person and/or family and friends through a personal, intentional and conscious dying process

Terms used:

  • Conscious dying guide
  • Death doula
  • Death midwife
  • Death transition guide
  • End-of-life doula
  • End-of-life guide
  • Midwife to the dying
  • Midwife to the soul
  • Pre-death guide
  • Psychopomp
  • Soul midwife
  • Sacred crossings guide
  • Thanadoula

Home Funeral Guide

(a topic we will address in an upcoming entry in the Living With Dying series)

Works to empower families and/or friends to care for their own dead and guide them through after-death care

Terms used:

  • Death midwife
  • Family funeral guide
  • Home funeral educator
  • Home vigil and funeral guide

Celebrant

Works with family and/or friends to create a a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life

Terms used:

  • Ceremonialist
  • Clergy
  • Officiant

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