Death remains one of the most universal human experiences, yet it is often one of the least discussed. In the United States, conversations around dying are frequently avoided until they become unavoidable, leaving individuals and families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments without clarity, preparation, or support.
For Scott Morgan, that gap is not theoretical. It is something he has witnessed firsthand. “I’ve seen what a difficult death can look like, and I’ve seen what a peaceful one can be,” Morgan says. “The difference often comes down to whether someone is supported, not just medically, but emotionally and personally.”
Morgan is an end-of-life doula and the New York lead for Present for You, a public benefit organization that supports individuals navigating serious illness, palliative care, and the final stages of life. Unlike traditional healthcare roles, end-of-life doulas focus on the human side of the experience, offering companionship, guidance, and space for conversations that often go unspoken.
Part of the challenge, he explains, is cultural. Death is still widely treated as a taboo subject. “When you tell people what you do, there’s often discomfort,” Morgan says. “But avoiding the conversation doesn’t change the reality. It just means people are less prepared at the end of life.”
This lack of awareness extends to the role of doulas themselves. While birth doulas are widely recognized, end-of-life doulas remain relatively unknown, despite addressing an equally significant transition. Their work can include everything from advanced care planning and bedside presence to helping individuals process unresolved emotions, reflect on their lives, or communicate things they may not feel able to share with family members.
In many cases, those conversations are central. “People often want to talk about things they can’t say elsewhere,” Morgan explains. “It might be fear, regret, or something unresolved. Having someone there who can listen without judgment changes their experience in a meaningful way.”
Present for You was built around this understanding. The organization works alongside hospices, healthcare providers, and families to complement traditional care systems. Its model is designed not to replace medical services but to address gaps with emotional, spiritual, social, and logistical support.
That approach has already shown measurable impact. In partnership with Goodwin Hospice, Present for You has delivered over 2,000 end-of-life doula visits, with the majority taking place at the bedside, supporting patients and families during critical moments.
The model is also structured to integrate into existing healthcare environments. Doulas are trained to work alongside clinical teams, providing support while helping reduce strain on caregivers and staff. Services range from in-person visits to virtual support, ensuring accessibility even when resources are limited.
For Morgan, the work is deeply personal. His perspective was shaped during the AIDS crisis, when he saw both the isolation many individuals experienced and the difference that compassionate presence could make.
“There were people who were alone, who were stigmatized, who didn’t have support,” he says. “That stays with you. It shapes how you think about what care should look like.”
Now, as Present for You expands into New York, the focus is on increasing awareness as much as expanding services. The organization is actively building a network of doulas while working to introduce the model to a broader audience, including individuals, families, and institutional partners.
The goal is not only to provide services, but to shift how people think about end-of-life care. “Most people don’t know this kind of support exists,” says Jane Euler, co-founder of Present for You. “But once they know, it changes how they approach those moments. It becomes less about fear and more about presence, connection, and dignity.”
In that sense, the role of an end-of-life doula is not to change the outcome, but to transform the experience itself. “Dying is a part of life,” Morgan adds. “The question is not whether it happens, but how we show up for it, for ourselves and for each other.”
Media Contact
Name: Jane Euler – Virginia and DC
Scott Morgan – New York City
Email: [email protected]
