Become an End of Life Doula

For End of Life Guides

You may have heard of a Death Doula called various other names, such as End of Life Doula or Death Midwife. I prefer to be called an End of Life Guide or Practitioner. These titles may mean different things to different people, but essentially, we offer emotional, spiritual, and practical support to someone who is dying and their loved ones. Some guides may also help people in healthy stages with advance planning or practices for death. They may also provide support with after-death planning, guidance, and bereavement care.

How to Become a Death Doula

To become a death doula, you must engage in personal reflection and, most times, some training. The heart of the work is the ability to provide compassionate care to a dying person and their loved ones. That sounds relatively simple, but we enter people’s lives at vulnerable times, and our personal wounds must be tended to, and our skills must be honed to ensure the highest level of care. 

Become Curious
You may begin by reading books about grief and death or watching films to explore your curiosity about the end of life. You might find a particular area more interesting, such as spirituality, the afterlife, legacy planning, or green burial. 

Self-Reflection
Explore your motivations or calling to become a guide by reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with death and dying. You may find out your skills are best suited for bereavement support, bedside vigil, or deathcare education.

Education and Training
Enroll in an end of life training program that best suits your needs. Find a holistic and well-rounded program that covers grief support, active listening, End of Life planning, and the dying process. Recognize that this is a path of continuous learning, and no program will cover everything.

Experience
Real-life experience is crucial for building skills and understanding the nuances of the work. There are many ways to gain hands-on experience, and your approach to this may differ based on your interests. Many start by volunteering at hospices, but that doesn’t have to be your path. 

A note about certifications – Currently, there is no governing body that regulates End of Life practitioners. However, programs like the Apprenticeship With Death will prepare you for the National End of Life Doula Association’s (NEDA) micro-credential proficiency assessment if that is important to you. Certifications may enhance your credibility and show your competence and commitment to the field. 

What are the requirements for Working as a death doula?

There is no specific checklist of requirements to become an end of life practitioner. End of life care appeals to individuals from various backgrounds who are motivated by compassion and empathy in their work. 

10 Essential Skills for a Death Doula:

    1. deep listening without judgment or trying to fix or change things
    2. effective communication in many forms
    3. the ability to hold space for big emotions and challenging situations
    4. an understanding of healthcare, palliative care, and hospice systems
    5. respect for cultural diversity and different traditions and beliefs
    6. ability to manage your emotions and provide stable and calm support 
    7. establish and maintain professional boundaries
    8. willingness to adjust to the changing needs of the dying person, including irregular hours and unexpected situations
    9. understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying
    10. knowledge of grief to provide support through bereavement

You Don’t Have to Work in Healthcare

End of life doulas aren’t licensed to provide medical help, but we advocate for our client’s medical wishes as part of a holistic, interdisciplinary care team. You do not need a healthcare background to become an End of Life guide. While backgrounds in adjacent fields like medical care, social work, counseling, or spiritual care may be helpful, end of life practitioners come from all walks of life. Anyone with a sincere desire to serve can learn how to provide healing end of life care. 

Learn the Art of Companioning the Dying

Reflect on your personal experiences, talents, and passions. Whether you have a background in healthcare, counseling, spiritual care, or simply a profound empathy for others, these attributes can enhance your ability to serve as a death doula.

Companioning the dying requires patience, sensitivity, and a willingness to become a student of life and death.

Here are some beginning steps:

    • The art of being present (practice for deep listening)
    • Practice for death (meditation for being with death)
    • Cultivate presence (learn to be in the present moment)
    • Read books

If you’re ready to become a student of death:

A Deeply Fulfilling Path

Becoming a death doula is a deeply fulfilling path that allows you to provide comfort and support to the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Holistic end of life care merges science with spirituality and subtle energy. This approach honors the individual person and their dignity and helps them find peace and comfort.

Whether you make this your profession or use these skills to support loved ones, the key is a sincere desire to serve. You can make a meaningful impact as a death doula with the right training, a compassionate heart, and a commitment to being present. If you feel called to this work, know that you have the potential to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those you serve. 

Grace & Peace,
Rhea Mader, CT
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