Ask a Death Doula
Ask a Death Doula
Suzanne B. O’Brien RN
I Trained Buddhist Monks as Death Doulas in Thailand—Here’s What Happened
21 minutes Posted Apr 21, 2026 at 2:58 pm.
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In this deeply moving and expansive episode, Suzanne shares her personal experience traveling to Thailand to train Buddhist monks in end-of-life care through the Doulagivers program. What unfolds is a powerful reminder that while cultures, traditions, and languages may differ, the heart of caring for someone at the end of life is universal.
Through moments of connection, humility, and shared wisdom, Suzanne reflects on what it was like to teach those who have long held sacred space for the dying—and what they, in turn, taught her. The experience revealed a profound truth: this global death doula movement is not about creating something new, but remembering something ancient—compassionate, present, human care at the end of life.
This episode is a beautiful bridge between East and West, science and spirituality, and tradition and modern practice—showing us that no matter who we are or where we live, we are all connected through this sacred human experience.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Suzanne’s journey to Thailand and the opportunity to train Buddhist monks
The role of monks in end-of-life care within Buddhist traditions
How Doulagivers training aligns with ancient spiritual practices
The monks’ powerful reflection: “Same heart, different cultures”
The universal nature of death, dying, and compassionate care
Why end-of-life care is a human experience—not just a medical one
How this work is part of a growing global movement to bring back sacred care
No matter where you are in the world, the essence of a “good death” is the same: presence, compassion, dignity, and love. This episode reminds us that what we are building through the death doula movement is not new—it is a return to what humanity has always known.
“This experience showed me that we are not teaching something different—we are remembering something together. Across the world, across cultures, there is one shared truth: how we care for each other at the end of life matters deeply. And it always has.”
If this episode resonates with you, you are being called into this work—whether for your own life, your family, or your community.
Join the global movement and learn how to care for someone at the end of life with presence, confidence, and love through the Doulagivers Level 1 Family Caregiver Training.
 
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This is a community-supported group hosted by Suzanne B. O'Brien RN, founder of the International Doulagivers Institute for training those who want to be professional End of Life Doulas, Doulagiver Practitioners and for anyone wanting more EOL educationJoin Here: 4491664174178077
 
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