End of Life Death Doula Certification

Welcome

A death doula is a powerful and compassionate presence who helps individuals and families navigate the final chapter of life with clarity, comfort, and dignity. As society begins to reclaim death as a meaningful and human experience, end-of-life doulas are becoming an essential part of the support team—offering emotional grounding, practical guidance, and deep companionship through dying and grief.

At DoulaVersity, we believe that death doulas have the power to transform how we experience loss. This program goes far beyond surface-level concepts—diving into the medical, physical, emotional, and spiritual realities of death. You'll learn how the body shuts down across systems, how to hold space through active dying, and how to support both the dying and the living with presence and purpose.

We also know that many students come to this work unsure if they’re "ready"—and we built this course to change that. With rich case studies, detailed tools, and grounded education, you'll feel confident and equipped from your very first client. Whether you're called to bedside work, legacy support, or trauma-aware grief care, you won’t be walking this path alone.

What Is a Death Doula?

A death doula is a trained, compassionate support person who helps individuals and families navigate the emotional, physical, and practical realities of dying. Their role is non-medical—but deeply impactful—providing education, presence, legacy support, and guidance through the final stages of life and the early grief that follows.

Anchors
The dying person and their loved ones—offering steadiness, presence, and emotional grounding in life’s most tender moments.

Bridges
The space between life and death—supporting grief, legacy, and meaningful closure with care and intention.

Creates Companionship
Walking beside the dying and their families with empathy, respect, and unwavering presence.

A Note About Course Depth & Content

This is not a surface-level course. DoulaVersity’s End-of-Life Death Doula Training goes far beyond the basics—diving into the realities of the dying process with depth, honesty, and clinical insight.

Students should be aware that this course includes medical illustrations, graphic images, and realistic video content, such as skin breakdown, terminal agitation, bodily changes, and the moment of death. This material is essential for understanding what clients and families may face—and how to serve with clarity, steadiness, and compassion.

A Distinctive Approach

Unlike other programs that offer a spiritual or emotional overview, this training is rooted in clinical comprehension, body systems education, and real-world preparation. You’ll explore disease progression, systemic shutdown, hospice systems, non-pharmacologic comfort care, grief frameworks, and family-centered presence work.

Our goal is to prepare you for this sacred and intense role with confidence, calm, and competence.

What Makes our End of Life Death Doula Program Unique?

The End-of-Life Doula Certification at DoulaVersity offers more than inspirational ideas or surface-level training. This is a clinically informed, emotionally grounded, and deeply practical program—created to prepare you for the real-world work of death support.

Here’s what sets this program apart:

  • 12 Comprehensive Modules covering everything from presence and ritual to system-by-system decline, disease processes, and after-death care.

  • Built by Experience: Created by a doula educator with over 7 years as a CNA in home health and hospice—this course bridges the gap between textbook theory and what really happens at the bedside.

  • Graphic and Unfiltered Content including photos, case studies, and videos that show the body’s transformation through dying—because real preparation requires real honesty.

  • Medical-to-Layperson Translation: Concepts are explained in both clinical and accessible terms so you can feel confident speaking with medical teams and families.

  • Original Frameworks like the CAPD Grief Integration Framework™—a practical tool for supporting bereaved families with empathy and structure.

  • Rich Practice-Based Learning through realistic case scenarios, comfort toolkits, downloadable scripts, and decision-making exercises.

  • Support for the Doula, Too: Including tools for sustainability, self-regulation, and holding space without losing yourself in the process.

This program doesn’t just give you permission to do the work—it gives you the skills, mindset, and readiness to be fully present for it.

Birth and Death: More Alike Than You Think

Birth and death are not opposites. They are echoes…
After attending hundreds of births and bearing witness to many final moments of life, our founder shares the powerful parallels between these two sacred thresholds.

Surrender. Stillness. Breath. Touch. Time standing still.

Explore the deep connection between the beginning and the end of life—and discover why doulas are so needed in both.

Read the Reflection →

What you’ll get

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    Certification is for life! However, we also know that some people need accountability or an organization that re-certifies. Students have the option of re-certifying at any time for $100. You can read more about that here.

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    DoulaVersity has licensed a range of birth and parenting-related videos and documentaries to enhance the learning experience for our students. These carefully selected resources provide valuable insights and practical knowledge to support students in becoming well-informed birth professionals.

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    We have eye-catching photos and graphics, videos and comprehensive content to keep our students engaged.

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    Students can finish the online portion of their training in as little as one month. Full certification depends on how quickly each student completes all of the necessary requirements.

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    Students will have access to a Facebook support group, where other students and your trainers are there to help you along the way.

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    We went above and beyond for our training content. As a doula you will always be learning, but we wanted to make it easier for you to navigate your role as a doula from the very start.

More About DoulaVersity’s
End of Life Death Doula Training

Price: $795

  • Requirements for Certification

    To begin the End-of-Life Doula Certification program, you must:

    Be at least 17 years of age

    Have access to a computer and reliable internet

    Be emotionally ready to engage with sensitive content, including graphic medical imagery, videos, and case studies related to death, dying, and bereavement

    Have access to a printer or PDF viewer for optional downloads and assignments

    Be prepared to approach this work with maturity, presence, and compassion

    Be comfortable reading and writing at approximately a 10th–12th grade level, as some modules include medical terms, client communication, and written reflection

    No prior medical or doula training is required—this program is designed for both new learners and experienced caregivers.

    Click the button below to check out our full checklist of requirements for becoming an end-of-life death doula.

  • End of Life Death Doula Training Curriculum

    Our comprehensive, self-paced online training will guide you through it all!
    We went above and beyond for our training content—with eye-catching photos, in-depth videos, and detailed, real-world content designed to keep students fully engaged and deeply prepared.

    Time Commitment

    While the course is self-paced, most students spend 80–100 hours completing all modules, readings, videos, assignments, and reflections. Some move faster or slower depending on personal capacity and prior experience.

    Content Advisory

    This training includes graphic images and clinical video content such as pressure wounds, bodily decline, and moments of death. We believe it’s essential to prepare doulas with clarity, not abstraction.

    Students should be emotionally prepared to engage with honest depictions of the dying process, including pediatric content, spiritual diversity, and experiences of grief and trauma.

    Click the button below to check out some of the topics covered in our online death doula training course.

  • Cross Certification

    Already trained or certified as a doula with another organization? No problem! If you're looking to enhance your skills, seek additional support, or simply wish to certify with a new organization, our cross-certification program is designed to meet your needs. Join us to expand your professional capabilities and connect with a supportive community.
    Click here for more information.

Enroll Now

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • A doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to mothers before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

  • Students have access to the online training course for two years. Should additional time be required, we are happy to extend your time. While most students complete their training within a few months, many can do it much sooner. In fact, our fastest record from registration to certification is just nine days!

  • No, you do not need medical training to become a doula. Doulas provide support and comfort to birthing individuals but do not perform medical tasks.

  • Yes, there is a growing demand for doulas, as more people recognize the valuable support they provide during childbirth. Even in areas where doulas are not yet widely recognized, there are significant opportunities for pioneering individuals to establish the profession. Being the first doula in a community can be a rewarding opportunity to educate families and healthcare providers about the benefits of doula services, paving the way for increased awareness and demand. Don't shy away from the chance to be a trailblazer in your area, setting a strong foundation for both your career and the well-being of the families you will serve.

  • Yes, DoulaVersity's certification is recognized in every state and country. However, if you are looking to become state-certified to accept Medicaid, there may be additional requirements you need to fulfill. DoulaVersity is actively working to ensure that our doulas are equipped with all necessary qualifications to meet these requirements in the near future. We are committed to supporting you in expanding your practice to include Medicaid clients, wherever you are located. To see what your state requires - click HERE.

    P.S - You are not required to accept Medicaid or any other types of insurance!

  • Upon successfully completing their training and fulfilling all program requirements, students will earn the designation of Certified Labor Doulas, abbreviated as CLD (DV), through DoulaVersity. This certification acknowledges their preparedness to professionally support and assist women during childbirth.