End-of-Life Doulas Can Continue Operating in California Thanks to O’Melveny Attorneys’ Support

Full Circle of Living and Dying and its end-of-life “doulas” filed a claim alleging that the non-profit—which works in conjunction with hospice programs to provide interpersonal, social, logistical, and spiritual care—was improperly targeted by California’s Funeral and Cemetery Bureau for providing unlicensed funeral services. Full Circle claimed the bureau’s actions violated its First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. O’Melveny represented Compassion & Choices and filed an amicus brief in support of Full Circle.

The court issued an order granting summary judgment in favor of Full Circle and its end-of-life “doulas” that prevents the bureau from citing or fining Full Circle and its doulas for advertising or offering their services without funeral establishment or funeral director licenses.