INELDA is on a mission to improve the End of Life experience for everyone around the world

By Evaheld

INELDA is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals in their end of life journey.

“Dying isn’t a medical event. It is a human one. We have accompanied each other through the bookends of life - birth and death - since the beginning of time. In many cultures specific individuals held the role of guide through these significant life events. They eased physical and spiritual pain, shepherded life across the threshold, celebrated and blessed those involved, and reaffirmed the communal understanding of these life cycle experiences.”

• INELDA

Find out more about INELDA and the work they do

Mission and Purpose

At the core of INELDA’s mission is a commitment to fostering inclusive communities where all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance, can thrive. Through a variety of programs and services, INELDA works to empower individuals to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

INELDA emphasizes the need to have care, compassionate, engaging and open-hearted presence to those dying. INELDA welcomes anyone nearing the End of Life and encourages the presence of doulas. They strive to create a world where every individual’s journey towards the end is treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Their vision is to ensure that people pass away in a manner that not only respects their cultural beliefs but also fulfills their deepest wishes.

INELDA believes in honoring the diverse identities of individuals during their final moments. It is essential to them that a person’s race, sexual orientation, and gender are acknowledged and respected throughout their End of Life journey.

Encouraging the presence of End of Life doulas

End-of-life doulas play a crucial role in supporting individuals and families during the challenging times of death and dying. By normalizing conversations around death, dying, and grief, these compassionate companions help alleviate fear and stigma surrounding End of Life care.

Through offering conscientious education and stewardship, End of Life doulas ensure that individuals are empowered with knowledge and support to make informed decisions that align with their values and beliefs. They provide guidance on End of Life options, facilitate advance care planning, and offer emotional and spiritual support.

Moreover, End of Life doulas foster community and advocacy by creating safe spaces for open dialogue and support networks. They collaborate with healthcare providers, hospices, and other professionals to ensure holistic and compassionate End of Life care for every individual.

By encouraging the presence of End of Life doulas, INELDA promotes a culture of empathy, compassion, and dignity in End of Life care, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those facing their final journey.

INELDA also promotes training for doulas with the mission to improve the number of doulas and ultimately raise the significance of them. Alongside doula End of Life training, INELDA supports other types of training including: hospice End of Life doula training, caregiver support training, End of Life doula training refreshers and class offerings designed to welcome learners. They are able to explore topics around deathcare that they might not even have touched based on in INELDA trainings, overall offering a welcome and supportive environment.

Learn more about our End of Life doula training

INELDA’s End of Life doula training program is designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide compassionate care and support to those nearing the end of their lives. The training covers a wide range of topics, including communication techniques, pain management, grief support, and holistic approaches to End of Life care.

Whether you are looking to start a career as an End of Life doula or simply want to enhance your existing caregiving skills, INELDA’s training program offers valuable insights and hands-on experience to help you make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

• Gain a deeper understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of End of Life care
• Learn practical skills such as active listening, guided imagery, and legacy work
• Explore ways to provide comfort and support to both the individual and their loved ones

Modern western way of life

Too often, our society witnesses individuals approaching the end of their lives in fear, surrounded by unnecessary suffering. This reality not only impacts the individuals directly involved but also reverberates throughout their families and communities. Additionally, marginalized groups such as Black people, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, the homeless, and the impoverished often face disenfranchisement and lack access to adequate End of Life care.

It is imperative that we shift this narrative and approach towards a more compassionate and inclusive model of care. By embracing open-hearted presence and engaging with those who are dying and their loved ones, we can create a more supportive and comforting environment for all involved. This transformation requires a collective effort to dismantle systemic barriers and prioritize empathy and understanding in End of Life scenarios.

Dying is a journey through the unknown

Having a doula by your side during the journey of dying can make all the difference. While they may not eradicate the suffering, doulas have a unique way of softening its edges. Their presence opens up new avenues of engagement, offering comfort and support that help navigate the uncertainties of the process.

Through their guidance, doulas provide a sense of safety amidst the unexpected twists and turns that come with mortality. Their compassionate companionship eases the burden, allowing individuals to find solace and acceptance in the midst of it all.

People have lost touch with the naturalness of dying

In our modern western way of life, the natural process of dying has become a taboo subject that many people shy away from. Death is a natural part of life, yet the fear and discomfort surrounding it have led to a disconnection from its naturalness. By avoiding conversations about death and dying, we miss out on opportunities to support those going through this inevitable stage of life.

Too many people die in fear and unnecessary suffering

Unfortunately, due to the lack of open discussions about death, many individuals end up facing their final moments in fear and unnecessary suffering. It is crucial to provide adequate support and comfort to those who are nearing the end of their lives, ensuring that their transition is peaceful and dignified. By addressing the fear associated with dying, we can help individuals find solace and acceptance during this challenging time.

Accessible, Equitable, and Compassionate Deathcare

When it comes to deathcare services, accessibility, equity, and compassion are paramount. These principles ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, receives the care and support they need during times of loss and grieving.

Importance of Accessibility

Accessible deathcare means that services are readily available and easy to reach for all individuals. This includes physical access to facilities, but also affordability and cultural sensitivity. Families should be able to access support and resources without barriers.

Ensuring Equity

Equity in deathcare requires that services are fair and just, catering to the diverse needs of different communities. This involves addressing disparities and providing tailored services that meet the unique requirements of each individual and family.

Embracing Compassion

Compassionate deathcare providers understand the emotional impact of loss and work with empathy and kindness to support families through their grief. Compassion is about listening, understanding, and providing comfort during a challenging time.

By upholding principles of accessibility, equity, and compassion in deathcare, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those navigating the difficult journey of loss and bereavement.

Evaheld’s Partnership with INELDA

Evaheld is a legacy and care planning app that empowers people to enjoyably create all sorts of legacy style content for their loved ones and future generations, as well as easily future-proof their voice to ensure better wellbeing outcomes. People are supported through the entire creation process, with the world’s most comprehensive suite of content types and in-browser video, audio and written content creation (or uploads), and of course secure lifetime storage. People also have full management over their recipient, privacy and future delivery preferences, safeguarding their privacy, independence, and connections to loved ones today, and into the future.

Evaheld and INELAD are united in their mission to help improve the end of life experience for everyone, globally.

The International End of Life Doula Association is an important advocate for doulas and the normalisation of death being an open and natural part of life where persons experiencing End-of-Life should be dignified and taken care of. INELDA also vouches for the importance of equity and each person receiving the respect they deserve and being treated how they wish towards individuals’ End of Life phase.

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