I teach people to understand
the terrain of advanced illness
through early bereavement…
before and beyond hospice…
then help them discover how
they can help, where they fit,
and what comes next.
Focus: Advanced illness – early bereavement
In the last 21 years as an End-of-Life Educator…
I’ve served 1000s of students.
End-of-Life Doula Certificate
Program in the United States
(founded in 2010).
Over the years, I’ve found that most people don’t need to decide whether they want
certification first. They need to understand the terrain. That’s why I organized 26 years
of bedside experience, teaching, workshops, and practical guidance into
the CareDoula® Legacy Library.
It’s where families, caregivers, advocates, and aspiring end-of-life doulas can study
this work deeply, discover where they fit, and build a strong foundation before
deciding what comes next.
For those who want ongoing discussion and real-world application, I continue guiding
practitioners through the End-of-Life Practitioners Collective.
And for those seeking certification and private mentorship, I continue offering
Certified CareDoula® on a limited basis.
Who I Help
I work with people who want to better understand the world of advanced illness and end-of-life care.
Some are supporting someone they love.
Some are exploring end-of-life advocacy or doula work professionally.
Others are already serving families and want a stronger foundation for the work they do.
They all have one thing in common:
They want to understand the complexity and nuance of end-of-life care before deciding what comes next.
What I Do
I’ve been creating spaces for honest, grounded conversation since 2005.
I teach, mentor, and guide people to better understand the terrain of advanced illness and end-of-life through classes, workshops, self-directed learning, professional training, and ongoing practitioner support.
I help people:
- understand what actually helps families as serious illness progresses
- develop steadiness instead of overwhelm
- discover where they fit and how they can best serve
- create services that are ethical, sustainable, and aligned with who they are
When I can, I also work directly with families, offering guidance during serious illness, the pre-hospice period, and early bereavement.
My Philosophy
Living and dying are part of the same sacred human experience.
The dying time deserves the same respect, attention, and care as birth and living, and when we meet it honestly, we add to the collective wisdom of our communities.
I believe end-of-life care works best when:
- people are well-prepared, not rushed
- support is grounded, not performative
- service is built in a way that sustains the caregiver, not depletes them
For professional end-of-life doulas, I teach what I call “End-of-Life Doula Zen,” a balanced approach that honors knowledge, presence, boundaries, practical tools, and the humanity of everyone involved.
That philosophy is built on six core principles:
Results
Equipping compassionate advocates to truly help families.
Focus
From when treatments stop working through early bereavement.
Simplicity
Doing what matters most, without overcomplication.
Foundation
Freedom comes from clear boundaries.
Impact
Only taking actions that make a real difference.
Joy
Finding meaning and steadiness, even in hard moments.
Neighbor to Neighbor®
One initiative is especially close to my heart.
Neighbor to Neighbor® is CareDoula®’s free public education initiative, expanding on the ideas introduced
in our Top 10 Issues training through ongoing community education and practical guidance.
Its purpose is simple: to help families, communities, and those who care for them better understand
serious illness, the time before hospice, and the end-of-life journey, before they find themselves in crisis.
HERES THE TRUTH…
Your end-of-life service doesn’t have to be big to be positively life changing.
About CareDoula® Education
CareDoula® Education is a small, family-run business supported by a dedicated, fully remote team.
While I’m the primary educator and guide, this work is made possible by a group of thoughtful, steady people who help ensure that students and families are well supported every step of the way.
Deanna Flores Cochran, RN. I’m the founder of CareDoula® Education and the creator of the Certified CareDoula® program. My role is teaching, mentoring, and shaping the educational framework that supports people doing this work professionally and personally.
Review my pioneering work here.
Danielle Cochran, Operations Director
Danielle oversees the day-to-day operations of CareDoula® Education, including the CareDoula® School and student care systems. She ensures that programs run smoothly and that students receive consistent, thoughtful support throughout their learning journey.
Maureen Lynch, Community & Program Manager
Maureen manages onboarding, learning support, and client care across our programs. She serves as a primary point of connection for students and helps maintain a grounded, welcoming learning environment.
Our CareDoula® Tech Team
Behind the scenes, our tech team keeps everything running smoothly, from learning platforms to communication systems, so students can focus on learning without unnecessary friction.
A Note on How We Work
CareDoula® Education exists as a home base for both self-study and guided, structured learning. Everything we offer is designed to help reduce suffering at the end of life, for families and for the people who serve them.
If you’re here, you’re in the right place.
Contact
The best way to reach us is by email at
[email protected]
or through the Contact page on this site.
You can also follow my teaching on YouTube.