End-of-Life Doula Training & Certification

Compassionate Community Death Care

Features of Our End-of-Life Doula Training Program

  • Online self-paced study program
  • Engaging blend of online teaching methods by an expert doula trainer (see sample lesson below)
  • Payment plans available
  • Easy access to instructor
  • No expiration date on access to online course materials
  • User friendly! You do not have to be tech savvy.
  • Course covers core competencies defined by the National End-of-Life Doula Association (NEDA).
  • Estimated 65 hours of self-paced study
  • Certification included in the course fee
  • 30% discount for groups of six or more
online death doula training

Fee $797

Or
$297 deposit + 5 monthly payments of $110

What will I learn in this course?

Course provides a solid grounding in end-of-life basics and doula support skills. Click on the + to see a list of topics covered in each module.

Try a free sample lesson.

Experience first-hand our engaging teaching methods and user-friendly online classroom. Study modules include downloadable tools and guides, videos, quizzes, case studies, skill-building exercises, templates for creating your own materials for use with clients, abundant resources, and more!

Our End-of-Life Doula Training program prepares you to ...

Open an income-generating community-based doula practice

Better support family & friends on their final journey

Enhance your support efforts as a hospice volunteer

Earn the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance's (NEDA) Proficiency Badge

Seek employment as a certified end-of-life doula

Explore creative ways to blend the doula model of care with your unique experience, gifts & passion

Be better prepared for your own passing.

Answer the call to serve the dying

End-of-Life Doula training for hospice staff, clinical care teams, community groups, and home care agencies

community-based doula
  • Customized training for your staff or community group
  • Hybrid training option combines self-paced study plus live, interactive online sessions.
  • Emphasis placed on applying skills in a care team model rather than establishing an independent doula practice.
  • Schedule a complimentary consultation with doula expert Patty Brennan to explore your organization's training needs and how we can help.
  • Discounts for groups of 5 or more enrollments
become a doula

Do you have questions? Join our next FREE monthly webinar on May 6.

Our Top 5 Questions about Becoming an End-of-Life Doula webinar will provide an overview of the role of the end-of-life doula, the meaning of certification, your income potential, our training program, and how to get started on your path. Meet instructor Patty Brennan and get your questions answered before making an investment.

End-of-Life Doula Certification

End-of-Life Doula Certification

Our streamlined certification process can be completed shortly after training. The lifetime certification is included in the cost of training (books are not included).

What do our students have to say about their experience?

Postpartum Doula Training Reviews

"Very informative and comprehensive training. I am currently employed as a hospice RN case manager, and much of what was covered I wish I had learned prior to starting my practice."

Victoria Wenger, Jenison, MI

 

"Thank you so much for the opportunity to study and learn from this wonderful program. The information is so rich that I saved it to review over time as I slowly and carefully develop my practice. I appreciate your sensitivity and depth of knowledge."

— Susan Anglada Bartley, Portland, OR

“Wow! Amazing training. Thank you so very much for giving so completely of your knowledge and yourself. I felt the training was very comprehensive, well-presented, and flowed nicely."

—Reverend Dr. Kathaleen Martin, Sparks, NV

This training was AMAZING and I am SO glad I did it. Thank you for your brilliance, skillful content curating, presence, wisdom, and modeling of such respectful honoring of what is right and true for others as a doula way of being."

—Annie Girresch, St. Louis, MO

"Thanks again for providing this invaluable opportunity to learn the basics of end-of-life doula work. You are thorough, interesting, spot on with your observations and experiences ... appreciate you and admire your work!"

—Kim Petrucci, Portage, MI

"Patty you are an amazing woman! Thank you so much for this program and the career you have chosen. I feel truly empowered by the extensive amount of material and resources you have given us. If only we could clone you!

—Sandi Bianchi, Chicago, IL

"I think your program is worth the money and time. I was especially NOT looking forward to spending most of my weekend sitting in a chair, but you have really surpassed the Zoom course boredom and figured out how to engage and inform virtually. The chance to meet the other students was terrific. The two panelists were a great addition. I am also an educator and so kind of a connoisseur of learning programs. Your program met and exceeded my expectations."

—Wendy Nemitz, St. Paul, Minnesota

"I’m pleasantly surprised about how much I’m enjoying the modules. The information has been great and very therapeutic for me. It has allowed me to process my parents' passing in a whole new light."

Christine Rhoden, Los Angeles, CA

"This course was great, challenging, enlightening, and still so much to learn and explore. A great foundation."

Laurel McCaslin, Snohomish, WA

"I cannot thank you enough for putting together such a comprehensive and thorough course. I have already learned much about myself and my motivations for pursuing a career in end of life service. I better understand areas where I need to grow (e.g. effective boundary setting) and feel better prepared to identify both pitfalls and opportunities in the field."

—Tim McCoy, Spartanburg, SC

"With a background as a nurse practitioner and a PhD in psychology involving much grief therapy, I learned much much more than I ever anticipated. I even liked the certification exam.  It was good for further clarity and understanding—another teaching tool."

—Shirley Kirby, Jupiter, FL

"Thanks so much for everything, Patty. Your thoughtful delivery, thorough content, and generous heart make for a beautiful combination. I am grateful to have Lifespan Doulas. Although I'm sure I will be a bit nervous when the time comes to step forward with my first client, I will know that I have been trained by the best and am well equipped, heart and head, to go forth with confidence, to love and serve, and hopefully make a truly positive difference in the lives of others. Thank you again Patty. You are the secret sauce."

—Kelly Collins, Delray Beach, FL

 

"I am so impressed by the quality curriculum content and well-organized structure. The platform is also clean and easy to navigate."

—Juliana Balistreri, Rohnert Park, CA"

"The modules were AMAZING! Your curriculum is thoughtful, insightful, and has helped me tremendously as I currently volunteer for hospice. I feel so empowered after taking your course. Impressive!"

—Colleen Guglielmana, Pollock Pines, CA

“You have such a gift for presenting a huge amount of information in a way that is easy to follow and readily absorbed. I am gaining understanding in addition to information. I am not usually comfortable with learning from online reading, but I am finding it so easy to learn from your course. You are a fabulous teacher. Thank you so much for the thought you have put into your teaching so that it is so accessible.” 

—Jennifer Schwartz, Honaunau, HI

“I enjoyed Patty very much. She was well spoken, intelligent, and demonstrated confidence and knowledge as a pioneer in the doula field. Her material went beyond my expectations as to equipping a doula for her business practice or volunteer work. I'm glad I chose Lifespan!”

—Julia Rupp, Archbold, OH

“Wow! What an unbelievable course this was. I found the material so healing and informative. I feel so much more at peace with what to do and how to do it. Truly priceless.” —Kimberly Stokka Meredino, Denver, CO

"I have appreciated your timely replies to all my inquiries. My learning style is to ask questions and share opinions. Thanks for allowing for this." —Marie Kohler, Maplewood, MN

"My presence with the dying, and the Lifespan training, are beginning to be sought out and requested. There is great value in this! Thank you for being such a great trainer and providing us with what is needed to have confidence going into a very special place with families."

—Julia Rupp, Archbold, OH

"This course is amazing. Incredibly thorough and so well thought out, organized, and chock full of engrossing and pertinent information. The course is so pleasantly user-friendly, as well. Wonderful job."
—Kyra Brown, San Francisco, CA

"Your training has made me a better caregiver and advocate for my grandmother, and regardless of whatever happens next for me as a doula, that alone has been the greatest gift."

—Julie C.

"I realize there are many training programs for EOLDs, however, I mean it sincerely when I say I believe yours is the best. You seem to have created the perfect educational balance between developing competency in EOLD skills and also the business focus. Providing non-judgmental support of individual paths and your willingness to be available for guidance are a stellar gift to your students."
—Patricia Berni, St. Louis, MO

“This is wonderful! Very much enjoying this course and finding so much to learn in such a thoughtful and insightful framework. I am a hospice social worker and all the information on hospice is just <chef's kiss>! I am even more inspired to do this work now and excited about the possibilities. Highly recommend!!”

—Cat Thomas, Olympia, WA

"I have learned so much during this course. I look forward to applying this knowledge in my work as a nurse. One day I will have my own practice in holistic healing and this will be one of the many services I can offer to the community. Thank you again for all your research and hard work you have put into this course."
 
Janette Thomas, RN, Sarasota, FL
 
 

"This has been an outstanding, fulfilling, cathartic, highly educational, and eye opening training. Truly."

Kelly Collins, Delray Beach, FL

"I just want to express to you my thanks for providing an excellent course! As an RN with over 40 years' experience in a variety of settings, I truly learned so much!"

—Debbie Finger, Millville, DE

 

"I got so much more than expected from this course. Each module held my interest. I talk and share with my friends and Church family more than ever. Thank you Lifespan Doulas."

—Pearl Robinson, Raleigh, NC

 

"The self-paced format was perfect for me and I appreciate the great amount of your work and expertise. I enjoyed the program at every step and it really did help me get my experience more structured and get a much deeper understanding of what it is to be an end-of-life doula."

—Varvara Kuchuk, Tbilisi, Georgia

Registration & FAQs

See Registration Overview for details about payment plans, fees for two or more certifications, discounted training bundles, refund policy, and FAQs.

By the end of your doula training, you will have ...

hands-open

A deep appreciation for the doula model of care ~ the essence of support

creativity

A brain full of exciting ideas for your doula practice

learning

Access to the best available resources on end-of-life

Close,Up,Of,Woman,Hands,Filling,Form,Crossing,Yes,Checkbox

Templates & tools for creating your own practice