When navigating serious illness—whether for yourself or a loved one—the terms palliative care and hospice care often come up. Though they both focus on comfort and quality of life, they aren't the same. Understanding the difference between palliative and hospice care can assist you in making informed, compassionate decisions that align with your values and goals.

As the founder of Until Death Doulas, I spend much of my time helping others navigate grief, death, and end-of-life transitions. Still, when an unexpected loss comes close, it's disorienting. I had just spoken at an event, introducing myself and the work I do as a death doula, and joked that I'd been "lucky" not to have experienced a personal, tragic death for a while. One day later, I was grieving.

In recent years, more people have chosen to work with end-of-life doulas—and it's not hard to see why. As our culture slowly shifts to embrace more open, honest conversations about death, many individuals and families are seeking compassionate, personalized support through one of life's most universal (yet often overlooked) transitions.

Whether facing a terminal illness, preparing for a planned procedure, or simply wanting to make proactive choices about how they live and die, people are recognizing the value of non-medical, heart-led support in navigating the end of life.