A message from Deanna Flores Cochran, RN, End-of-Life Doula Mentor.
What Does “Certified End-of-Life Doula” Mean?
…So, what does it mean when someone self identifies as a certified EOLD? Here’s the scoop: Training programs that have designed their own curriculum sometimes offer what is called an in-house certification where they attest to successful completion of a course of study. However, earning a particular program’s self-certification is not required to practice as an end-of-life doula. Holding a certification from a trainer or training entity, while valuable in confirming a certain degree of accomplishment and identifying the training type, is not the same as being certified or licensed by an independent, 3rd party certifier, in the way that nurses, CNAs, counselors, therapists, contractors, cosmetologists, and others are.at does it mean when someone self identifies as a certified EOLD? Here’s the scoop: Training programs that have designed their own curriculum sometimes offer what is called an in-house certification where they attest to successful completion of a course of study. However, earning a particular program’s self-certification is not required to practice as an end-of-life doula. Holding a certification from a trainer or training entity, while valuable in confirming a certain degree of accomplishment and identifying the training type, is not the same as being certified or licensed by an independent, 3rd party certifier, in the way that nurses, CNAs, counselors, therapists, contractors, cosmetologists, and others are…
excerpt from the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance website, January 2025.
About Certified CareDoula®
As a founding member of The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance and first Vice President, Deanna knows what it takes to serve at your highest level in this emerging field. She understands the position we each are in when it comes to our education and proving our capabilities to serve in the greater community in a private End-of-Life Doula professional practice.
She developed the first End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program in the US in 2010. When she began (and still to this day) what the certificate means (to her) is you have invested in training with her and learned the CareDoula® methodology and have proven to meet the standards of the CareDoula® Education system. Over the years, CareDoula® Education is recognized for the excellence of our soulful training, dedication, and heartfelt commitment to those seeking to serve others at the end of life, certified or not.
Our model is an intensive, comprehensive, practically-based, holistically-centered model of care, abiding by NEDA (National End-of-Life Doula Alliance) standards, for an end-of-life doula practice. Our Program offers additional unique training in what it takes to nourish a person as they accompany the dying and their families. Our Certificate honors and represents your dedication, commitment, and calling to serving and empowering others at the end of life.
When you complete the requirements for our Certificate of Completion, you have a dual designation: 1) Certified End-of-Life Doula from CareDoula® School of Accompanying the Dying and 2) Certified CareDoula®.
Special Note: When you see the title ‘Certified End of Life Doula’ or ‘Certified Death Doula,’ it is referring to a person who has taken a company’s program and was awarded a Certificate of Completion that they met the requirements of that company’s process. Understand that when you receive your Certificate of Completion from any organization (including ours), you have simply met the standards of that organization only.
In 2025, there is no credentialing body for End-of-Life Doulas in the US; we are self-regulating.