Bear Witness

Terms of Service

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Welcome to Bear Witness ("Bear Witness," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of bearwitness.app and any related services (collectively, the "Site"). By creating an account, logging in, or otherwise using the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Site.

Bear Witness serves two kinds of users: Families seeking end-of-life and bereavement support, and Doulas offering death doula services. Some sections of these Terms apply to all users, and some apply specifically to one group. Please read the section relevant to your role in addition to the general terms.

1. Who We Are

Bear Witness operates an online marketplace that connects Families with independent, self-employed death doulas ("Doulas") for the purpose of arranging end-of-life and bereavement support services ("Services"). Bear Witness is not a healthcare provider, hospice, funeral home, medical practice, or counseling agency, and does not itself provide any death doula, medical, psychological, legal, or funeral services.

2. Nature of the Marketplace

2.1 Bear Witness is a platform that facilitates introductions and connections between Families and Doulas. We are not a party to any agreement, arrangement, or engagement made between a Family and a Doula.

2.2 Doulas listed on the Site are independent contractors and are not employees, agents, contractors, or representatives of Bear Witness. Bear Witness does not supervise, direct, or control the manner or method in which any Doula performs their services.

2.3 Bear Witness does not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, timeliness, or suitability of any Doula's services, nor the accuracy of any information a Doula or Family provides.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a legally binding contract to use the Site. By using the Site, you represent that you meet these requirements.

4. Accounts

4.1 You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account.

4.2 You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when creating your account and to keep that information up to date.

4.3 Bear Witness reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account that violates these Terms, provides false information, or engages in conduct that harms other users or the platform.

5. Terms Specific to Doulas

5.1 Background Checks. All Doulas must complete a background check through our third-party provider, Checkr, before their profile is published and made visible to Families. Bear Witness reserves sole discretion to determine whether a background check result permits a Doula's profile to go live, to remain live, or to be removed at any time.

5.2 Independent Contractor Status. Doulas acknowledge that they are independent businesses. Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship between a Doula and Bear Witness.

5.3 Qualifications and Conduct. Doulas represent that all information in their profile, including certifications, training, and experience, is accurate and current. Doulas are solely responsible for holding any licenses, certifications, or insurance required to lawfully provide their services, and for the manner in which they conduct themselves with Families.

5.4 Fees. Bear Witness's fee structure for Doulas, if any, will be disclosed separately at the time of listing or in an applicable fee schedule. Bear Witness reserves the right to change its fee structure with reasonable notice.

6. Terms Specific to Families

6.1 No Guarantee of Fit. Bear Witness helps Families discover and connect with Doulas but does not select, vet the fit of, or vouch for the appropriateness of any particular Doula for a Family's specific circumstances.

6.2 Match Fee. Families may be charged a flat match fee to connect with a Doula through the Site, processed via our payment provider, Stripe. Fees are described at the point of payment. Except as required by law or as otherwise stated at the time of purchase, match fees are non-refundable once a connection has been made.

6.3 Independent Arrangement. Any agreement regarding scope of services, schedule, and payment for a Doula's services is made directly and independently between the Family and the Doula. Bear Witness is not a party to that agreement and does not process payment for the Doula's services themselves unless explicitly stated otherwise on the Site.

7. No Medical or Emergency Services

Bear Witness and the Doulas listed on the Site do not provide medical care, hospice care, mental health treatment, or emergency services. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Death doula support is intended to complement, not replace, medical, hospice, or mental health care.

8. Payments

All payments made through the Site are processed by Stripe. By making a payment, you agree to Stripe's applicable terms. Bear Witness does not store your full payment card details.

9. User Conduct

You agree not to:

  • Provide false or misleading information on your profile or in your communications with other users
  • Use the Site for any unlawful purpose or to harass, threaten, or harm another user
  • Attempt to circumvent Bear Witness's fee structure by arranging a connection made through the Site to be completed off-platform to avoid applicable fees
  • Scrape, copy, or misuse data from the Site
  • Impersonate any person or entity

10. Disclaimers

THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH IT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. BEAR WITNESS DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE, OR THAT ANY DOULA LISTED ON THE SITE WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS OR REQUIREMENTS.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BEAR WITNESS AND ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR ANY SERVICES ARRANGED THROUGH IT, INCLUDING THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY DOULA OR FAMILY. BEAR WITNESS'S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR THE SITE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO BEAR WITNESS, IF ANY, IN THE TWELVE MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Bear Witness from any claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Site, your violation of these Terms, or your interactions with another user, including any Services arranged through the platform.

13. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Site at any time, with or without cause or notice, including for violation of these Terms. You may stop using the Site and close your account at any time.

14. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide reasonable notice, such as by posting the updated Terms on the Site with a new "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

15. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to conflict of law principles. [ADD ARBITRATION/VENUE CLAUSE IF DESIRED, WITH ATTORNEY INPUT.]

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to jtiff510@gmail.com.

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*By logging into or using Bear Witness, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.*