Birth doulas have been around for a while, but DDCS Associate lawyer Stacey Bell is training to support another certainty of life. Photo: DDCS.
Everyone is someone’s mother, father, child, sibling, partner or friend. So when a person dies, as we all do eventually, they deserve to do so in comfort and with their dignity intact.
Death doulas, also known as end-of-life doulas or deathcarers, have a simple goal.
Driven by compassion, they exist to guide a person and their loved ones through the dying process with empathy, warmth and respect.
This can include being a comforting bedside presence who prepares families for what death can look like, and when the time comes, helps them through the early stages of grief.
Death doulas are steadfast supporters when it comes to making tough decisions. Though their assistance isn’t medical, these advocates work closely with health professionals to make sure care plans align with a dying person’s wishes.
Stacey Bell grew up in a family where death was treated as just another stage of life rather than something to be feared. She’s had a sense of curiosity around the dying process from a young age.
Now, as a wills and estates associate with DDCS Lawyers, Stacey deals with the implications of death on a daily basis.
She also recently started training as a death doula. It’s an uncommon addition to a lawyer’s skills, but given her approach to care, it makes perfect sense.
“Most of my clients are exhausted by the time they see me. While I can’t take away their grief, they deserve a friendly, empathetic approach,” Stacey says.
“Death is one of the very few things that every single person on Earth goes through. I actually think it connects us, in a way.
“I’m already trained in the legal side of what comes during and after death. So I thought, why not expand my understanding by becoming a death doula as well?”
Stacey Bell was recently recognised at the 2025 ACT Law Society Service Awards for her outstanding impact as a new lawyer and strong commitment to inclusivity, justice and community advocacy. Photo: ACT Law Society.
Alongside her daily work and extra training, Stacey has started volunteering with not-for-profit Tender Funerals Canberra Region.
“Funerals aren’t just for the person who has died. They’re also for the living; a chance to say goodbye and gain closure, share stories, and celebrate the life of their loved one.”
Though she genuinely enjoys both, Stacey has another reason to add her volunteering and death doula to her professional toolkit.
The knowledge and experience she gains across each role will be used to further support her clients in wills and estates, especially those who can’t speak for themselves and need a strong advocate for their wishes.
Above all else, Stacey believes in taking the time to acknowledge emotions and build a meaningful relationship with every client, whatever that may look like.
The little things matter. If a family requests that Grandma be called Grandma, instead of by her first name, it’s a non-issue.
“Grief is one of the most difficult emotional processes we go through in our lives, so anything I can do to ease that burden is meaningful,” Stacey says.
“And when it comes to wills, I like to think of them as love letters to your nearest and dearest.
“Building a comprehensive estate plan might be daunting, but it’s really just an opportunity to make sure your loved ones are looked after when you’re gone.”
For more information, contact DDCS Lawyers.
