END-OF-LIFE DOULA Information Center

Welcome! Are you curious about finding the “real scoop” on this new role you’ve heard of called End-of-Life Doula or Death Doula? Yes! It really is a ‘thing.’
Scroll through this page to be introduced to many valuable resources.
Free End-of-Life Doula Training below, addressing some of the most commonly asked questions we receive daily.
‘Create an End-of-Life Service Without Working in Healthcare.’
I have only seen this one training and I already love you! Thank you, thank you for offering your wisdom and giving those of us interested in end-of-life doula work an opportunity to explore if it is the right fit. I feel either way, this self exploration will be highly beneficial. Thank you again. – Michelle P.
Scroll on! There is so much more to tell you…
THE EMERGING END-OF-LIFE DOULA ROLE

The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance
The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) was formed in 2017, after several end-of-life service trainers met at a NHPCO (see below) conference in San Diego, California. Long story short (see the full story in Deanna’s book, Accompanying the Dying), they decided to join together to establish a nonprofit membership organization to bring unity within the rapidly growing end-of-life doula movement. Regardless of someone’s background or training (all are invited), NEDA strives to establish core competencies and professional standards for doulas who have a professional practice. Below is our initial pictograph describing the role (in 2017..how sweet 😊)

More News
End-of-Life Doula Advisory Council

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization invited End-of-Life Doulas into the fold in early 2018. We held our inaugural meeting of the End-of-Life Doula Advisory Council in Washington, DC, in April 2018. The purpose of the Council is to educate member hospice and palliative care organizations about the role of the end-of-of life doula and how to utilize community doulas. Deanna served as first Chair from 2018 to December 2020.
Please visit the National End of Life Doula Alliance website to learn more about how many professional doulas and trainers are joining together to bring professional standards to our beloved role.
The art of the practice may be learned by anyone who has the calling. The business of the practice, that of serving the community, requires a bit more.
Stay tuned for more about NEDA and other national initiatives.
Interesting FACTS
Census Bureau data reports that by 2030 people over the age of 65 will outnumber children (<18) for the first time in history. As this transition occurs over the next 10 years, we all will feel the impact in our fragmented healthcare system.
Deanna answers below The #1 Question most people have before they get started:
MORE FAQ’s:
Are there other people interested in this? YES!
People from all backgrounds and skillsets are drawn to accompany the dying.








More Resources
Deanna offers a variety of ways to learn more about this beautiful practice. Check out:
- End-of-Life Doula Interest (Quiz)
- Foundation End-of-Life Doula Course (no cost)
- End-of-Life Doula YouTube Channel
- End-of-Life Doula Free Training
- Deanna’s Book, “Accompanying the Dying: Practical, Heart-Centered Wisdom for End-of-Life Doulas and Healthcare Advocates.”
- Deanna’s Book (Spanish Edition), Acompañando a los moribundos: Sabiduría práctica desde el corazón para doulas del fin de vida y defensores en el sector salud

Considering a Deeper Dive?
If you already know that you want to be an End-of-Life Doula, and you would like to study with us, please take our free training and learn our approach and you will be guided to talk with us. Register Here.
Common Question
I would love to train to become an End-of-Life Doula! Do you have to have a medical background? Or can anyone do it?
Yes! Anyone can do this. It is for the person serious about reducing suffering at the end of life–regardless if they want to do this professionally or not. Deanna’s main motivation in her work is to empower a person to reduce suffering at the end of life. She excels at mentoring people who want to do this role professionally and she also believes that every single person who is drawn to study end of life care, will deeply affect the people in their circles over their lifetime. In our CareDoula School, we have people who just want to be the ‘go-to’ person amongst their family, friends, volunteers, healthcare professionals, people who have absolutely no background in healthcare and everything in between! Deanna’s desire is to guide you to serve the dying and reduce suffering at the end of life.
Important: Please Review!
- The Evolution of the Doula Role – Read Here!
- What does “Certified End-of-Life Doula” mean? – Read Here!
Helpful Information
End-of-life doulas (EOLDs) provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort to people preparing for, or experiencing end of life by offering education and guidance; emotional, social, and spiritual care; logistical and practical assistance, and more–before during and after death. End-of-life doulas complement and supplement the work of family and other caregivers (including hospice providers).
– National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA), 2025.

Register below for our free training: “Create an End-of-Life Service Without Working in Healthcare.”
Happy Participants of Our Free Training
(you can Access it below)
Each aspect of your free training gives me questions to consider as I decide what path I would like to take with this. It also gives many different persons and websites to further research and find information.
The biggest advantage of the free training for me, however, is Deanna herself. Her demeanor is soft, compassionate and completely genuine. I feel like if she were at my bedside, I could get through whatever I was facing. It also encourages me to keep being myself through this process, and to bring to end of life work my truest, most authentic self. Thank you so much Deanna. -Vanessa W
There is such a groundswell of information, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas. I’m just paying attention to it all and noodling around with how I might be able to contribute in the future…I’m not sure what my path looks like just yet, but I so appreciate the work that you’re doing to help people along the way. You are doing such important work, and your presence, even just on camera, is calm, deep, and full of kindness. You are a wonderful spokesperson for this movement, and I just wanted to reaffirm that you are reaching people and making a difference. – Mary W.