How to Become a Death Doula: Training, Salary & FAQs | Cake Blog (2024)

As the death positive movement grows and society becomes more open to discussing the inevitable end we all face, the demand for professionals who can guide us through this profound journey has grown.

Jump ahead to these sections:

• Steps for Becoming a Death Doula
• What Does a Death Doula Do?
• What Training Do You Need to Be a Death Doula?
• What is the Average Death Doula Salary?
• What to Consider Before You Become a Death Doula
• Becoming a Death Doula FAQs

Much like a birth doula, a death doula offers support, knowledge, and a comforting presence during one of life’s most intimate moments. But what does it truly mean to embrace this role? And how do you step into the sacred space between life and death with grace and empathy?

In this guide, you’ll discover the intricacies of becoming a death doula. With this information, you can decide if this wonderful position is right for you.

Steps for Becoming a Death Doula

Becoming a death doula is both a personal and professional commitment. It requires dedication, continuous learning, and a deep sense of empathy. While the role is emotionally demanding, the rewards of assisting people and their families during such a life-changing time are immeasurable.

If you’re considering this noble profession, here are the essential steps to guide you on your way:

1. Begin with research: Get a deep understanding of a death doula’s career landscape. Explore the potential earnings, growth opportunities, and the nuances of establishing a thriving doula business.
2. Pursue certification: Consider enrolling in death doula certification programs or end-of-life midwife training. These programs enhance your knowledge and provide the expertise you need to stand out in the field.
3. Network with hospices: Engage with local hospices and death doula organizations. They can offer invaluable resources, insights, and opportunities to grow your community and connections within the end-of-life industry.
4. Establish an online presence: Most death doulas operate as independent contractors, so you need to have a strong online footprint. This includes social media accounts, a website, and an official email address.
5. Understand the legalities: Learn the responsibilities of owning a business and familiarize yourself the the legal requirements of starting your venture or working as an independent contractor.
6. Forge connections with local organizations: Reach out to local funeral homes, cemeteries, and hospices to introduce your services as a death doula. Building personal and professional relationships in the industry can lead to valuable referrals and collaborations.

What Does a Death Doula Do?

A death doula has a multifaceted role that encompasses the tangible and intangible aspects of end-of-life care. In essence, a death doula serves as a guide, companion, and advocate for those nearing death, as well as for their loved ones.

Their responsibilities extend beyond mere companionship. They provide emotional support, logistical assistance, and a wealth of knowledge about the dying process. Let’s take a deeper look into the specific duties that define the role of a death doula.

Offer emotional support

A death doula provides a comforting presence. They offer emotional support to the individual nearing their death and to their caregivers, family, and friends. This support can give them a feeling of hope and understanding during challenging times so that no one feels alone on their journey.

Provide insight into the dying process

Death doulas bring a unique perspective and understanding of the dying process. They make sure everyone involved, from the patient to their loved ones, receives the support and information they need. This insight can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of end-of-life care.

Assist with end-of-life logistics

A death doula assists with the myriad logistical tasks that arise at the end of life, such as:

• Gathering online passwords
• Closing accounts
• Reconciling debts
• Locating essential documents like healthcare directives and wills

Their expertise ensures that no detail gets overlooked.

Help establish a legacy

A death doula aids the dying person in leaving a lasting legacy. They assist in making sure the individual’s memories or wishes are preserved for posterity by:

• Writing letters
• Transcribing memories into a journal
• Creating a scrapbook
• Sending out heartfelt messages

Plan the end-of-life experience

Every person has unique wishes for their end-of-life experience. A death doula works closely with the patient to establish a plan that encompasses their desires. This could include tasks they want to accomplish to the specifics of their final arrangements.

Guide the patient’s family

The end-of-life process can be overwhelming for families. A death doula offers support and guides them through each step, acting as a mediator between the family and their loved ones. They help ensure all voices are heard and that the process is as smooth as possible.

Explain the intricacies of death

A death doula demystifies the often misunderstood death process. They explain the details surrounding death in a way that brings comfort and understanding to both the patient and their family. This knowledge can be a source of solace during difficult times.

What Training Do You Need to Be a Death Doula?

There are several certifications, licenses, and educational training programs across the country. Each program is curated based on the practices and beliefs of the training center.

Though death doulas all serve at the end of life, each training program may have a different set of guidelines. To practice as a death doula, training is not needed but it can provide you the necessary tools to be successful.

Do I have to take an exam?

There is currently no national accredited body overseeing death doula training. Training centers usually have a written and practical exam to receive a certificate.

There are no state boards or license tests for death doulas to complete before starting work.

What are the prerequisites?

Though medical experience is helpful, it is not required to become a death doula. You do not need to have any prior training in medical, mental health, or spiritual fields.

The only prerequisite needed is an open mind and heart. The training program will provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to work as a death doula.

How much does the training cost?

Death doula training programs can range from $750 to $3000+ depending on the program length.

Some of the training programs will have various phases and others can be completed in 2-3 days. Opportunities for scholarships are sometimes offered to offset the program costs.

What will the training program provide?

Each training program is different but they all embody similar practices and principles. You will learn how to offer spiritual, emotional, and physical comfort to someone at the end of their life.

The training will teach you how to present with death and how to listen with compassion. You will also learn how to help someone navigate their logistical end-of-life plans. In some pieces of training, you will learn skills for family grief-work pre and post-death.

Some courses will provide continuing education units and can open the course up to other professionals.

What is the Average Death Doula Salary?

The pay of a death doula will depend upon the agreed-upon amount between you and your client. This is usually presented at an hourly or per day rate. Some doulas may decide to charge a flat fee to assist the person in their dying process.

The hourly rate can range from $25 to over $100 an hour depending on the needs of the client. On average, death doulas make $24/hour.

What to Consider Before You Become a Death Doula

If you plan on pursuing a career as a death doula, you will intimately learn the ups and downs in the process of death. Some of these can include beautiful moments and other ones of intense suffering. Death may not be a positive experience for everyone. Though death doulas do their best to prepare the person for a "good death," each experience will be unique for everyone.

If you are curious about becoming a death doula, here are some things to know:

Emotional and physical demands

Being with someone in their final hours can be fulfilling—and also exhausting. When people are close to death, you may be on watch for long hours. As we all know, people can die at any moment and sometimes it can be quick or a long, drawn-out process.

Doulas can be working for more than 12 hours, focused on some emotionally intense tasks for their client. A consistent self-care practice can help you avoid burnout and help you keep up with the demands of the job.

Becoming a death doula also requires a sense of emotional security and the ability to know when to set boundaries. Setting boundaries can be hard especially when your job is precisely to guide someone through the most trying time of their life. Seeing people transition from life to death can be jarring, so it is helpful if you can maintain a practice of mindfulness and serenity for both yourself and your client.

Death awareness

Having experience with the death of a loved one or friend is not required but it can be helpful. If you haven't experienced death firsthand, some death education or study is encouraged. No matter how many stories about death you read, it can be very different when you are in a room with a dying person. For this reason, it is important that you have some level of death awareness.

Coming to terms with your own mortality will also help you in this role. Watching someone die can be unsettling if you are not comfortable with it — and may deter you from continuing as a death doula if it is not something you are willfully prepared to handle.

Compassionate heart

It takes a lot of courage and a heart of compassion to guide someone to their death. You may listen to a dying person share their emotional pain and sadness. They may express regrets, things they feel guilty about, or stuff they are going to miss the most.

Being able to listen with a non-judgmental mind and an open heart is critical. The more kind and gentle the doula is, the safer the dying person will feel.

Post-loss tip: Perhaps your inspiration to become a death doula comes from the experience of taking care of your own loved one during and after death. If you are currently in the process of handling their unfinished business, we have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.

Becoming a Death Doula FAQs

A death doula is still considered an alternative or holistic service. Because of this, there may still be questions lingering in your mind. Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions:

How can I find death doula jobs?

Finding death doula jobs could be as simple as searching “death doula jobs near me” on Google. You can also network at local hospices, hospitals, death doula associations, and end-of-life care conferences. You may also reach out to local funeral homes to discuss potential collaborations.

Who should become a death doula?

Anyone who wishes to serve at the end of life can qualify to be a death doula. This might include caregivers, holistic practitioners, nurses, and other medical professionals.

Do you need any degrees or certifications to be a death doula?

No, you don’t need any degrees or certifications to be a death doula. However, it’s best to attend a training program so you can learn how to navigate the complex emotions and situations that may arise when dealing with the end of life.

Becoming a Death Doula: A Life-Changing Decision

Choosing to become a death doula is more than just a career choice. It’s a deep commitment to humanity. As society evolves, the need for compassionate, dedicated, and informed death professionals becomes even more paramount.

By stepping into this role, you offer comfort and understanding to those in their final moments and also reshape societal perceptions about death. And the rewards — deep connections, touching lives, and honoring legacies — are immeasurable.

Sources:

1. “Death Doula Jobs Sep 2023.” ZipRecruiter, ZipRecruiter, n.d., Ziprecruiter.com
2. End of Life Doula Council, National Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Nhpco.org
3. End of Life Doula Training, International of End of Life Doula Association, Inelda.org
4. Sacred Passage: End Of Life Doula Certificate, Conscious Dying Institute, Consciousdyinginstitute.com
5. Trainer Directory, National End-of-LIfe Doula Alliance, Nedalliance.org