Chart Your Course to a Meaningful Career in End-of-Life Care as a Certified Death Doula
Gain the tools, confidence, and community to guide families
with compassion and clarity.
Every Family Deserves Support. You Can Provide It.
End-of-life transitions are challenging and emotional, and families often feel lost and unsupported. But with the right training, you can step into this sacred role and help bring peace and intention to these moments.
The Compass Doula Collective is here to guide you as you begin this transformative journey.
The Training You Need to Become a Compassionate Death Doula
This immersive 8-week training program equips you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide meaningful end-of-life support. Through live, interactive workshops and hands-on exercises, you’ll gain practical experience in:
Guiding legal and healthcare planning – Understand advance directives, hospice care, and how to advocate for a peaceful transition.
Recognizing the body’s natural shutdown process – Learn how to provide comfort, safety, and dignity in a person’s final days.
Offering emotional and spiritual support – Cultivate deep presence and nonjudgmental care for both the dying and their loved ones.
Creating legacy projects – Help individuals honor their lives through storytelling, letters, and meaningful keepsakes.
Planning vigils and sacred crossings – Design personalized rituals that bring peace and closure to the transition process.
Facilitating intentional funerals and memorials – Support families in crafting ceremonies that reflect personal beliefs and values.
And so much more.
By the program’s end, you’ll have the skills, confidence, community, and guidance to step into this sacred work with clarity and purpose.
Who is This Death Doula Training For?
Not everyone is called to end-of-life work—but if you’re here, something inside you is already pulling you toward this path. Maybe you’ve been present at the bedside of a loved one, feeling both honored and uncertain about how to support them. Maybe you work in healthcare or caregiving and sense there’s something missing in how we approach dying. Or maybe you’ve always been the person others turn to for comfort in times of loss, and you’re ready to step into that role with more confidence.
This training is for you if…
You feel drawn to support people at the end of life. Whether you’re looking to start a new career as a death doula or simply deepen your understanding, this training gives you the tools to be of service in a way that feels grounded and intentional.
You’re a caregiver, hospice volunteer, nurse, or healer looking to expand your skills. If you already work in a related field, this training will give you a deeper understanding of how to offer emotional, spiritual, and practical support in ways that honor each person’s unique journey.
You believe death can be approached with peace, dignity, and even beauty. You don’t have to be fearless—you just have to be willing. This training will show you how to hold space for a sacred transition, bringing comfort to the dying and their families in their most tender moments.
You want to provide guidance and comfort without fear of saying the “wrong” thing. Many people hesitate when it comes to talking about death—but you’ll learn how to navigate these conversations with compassion and ease.
You want to be fully prepared for your own loved ones’ transitions. Even if you don’t plan to work as a professional death doula, the knowledge and confidence you’ll gain will be invaluable when supporting those you love.
If you see yourself in these words, you are exactly where you’re meant to be.
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![Death Doula Andrea]()
"I would recommend Christy's Training to anyone with the intention of becoming a Death Doula."
Christy has a wealth of knowledge which she delivers in an upbeat and organized manner. I'm glad to be part of the Compass Doula Collective and inspired to set out on my journey with Christy as a trusted guide. I would recommend Christy's Compass Doula Training to anyone with the intention of becoming a Death Doula, or those who would just like to discuss the realities of death in an open, positive and practical manner.
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![paula death doula]()
"I highly recommend this class."
I loved that this class was in person. Christy packed this class with valuable information and made it fun. It was wonderful to get to know others with a similar interest and I feel like I have a network of people to work with and/or get advice or feedback from. If you have any interest in learning about becoming a death doula, and you do not want an online course, I would highly recommend this class.
Compass Collective Death Doula
Training Program
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
Understand the role and responsibilities of a death doula
Provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support to dying individuals and their families
Facilitate end-of-life planning and decision-making
Create meaningful rituals and legacy projects
Navigate the ethical and legal aspects of end-of-life care
Understand Grief and Bereavement
Effectively support the dying and their circle of support
Syllabus:
Introduction to Death Doula Work
Philosophy of the death doula movement
What is the death positive movement?
Roles and responsibilities of a death doula
Ethical considerations and professional boundaries
Understanding the Dying Process
Physiological changes during the end of life
Psychological and emotional aspects of dying
Signs and symptoms of approaching death
Pain management and comfort measures
Disease processes and intervention quick reference
Communication and Space Holding
Active listening, space holding, and empathetic communication
Facilitating difficult conversations about death and dying
Supporting family dynamics and conflict scenarios
Cultural intelligence in end-of-life care
Non judgment
End-of-Life Planning
Creating end-of-life care plans
Funeral and memorial planning
Legal and financial considerations
Home death care and body preparation resources
Funeral director roles and responsibilities
Vigil Planning
Body disposition options
Rituals and Legacy Work
Creating meaningful end-of-life rituals
Legacy projects and life review
Spiritual and religious considerations
Music, art, and other therapeutic modalities in end-of-life care
Grief and Bereavement Support
Understanding grief processes and theory including anticapatory grief
Resources for ongoing grief support
Self-care for death doulas
Practical Aspects of Death Doula Work
Collaborating with hospice
Understanding funeral industry practices
Introduction to building a death doula practice and marketing your services
Guest Speakers
A variety of Northern California professionals will provide insight into collaboration
By the time you complete this program, you won’t just understand the logistics of end-of-life care—you’ll have the confidence, skills, and support to step into this work fully prepared. You’ll move from uncertainty to clarity, from hesitation to purpose. And most importantly, you’ll be ready to bring peace, dignity, and meaning to the sacred final moments of life.
Why I Became a Death Doula—And Why This Work Matters
I never set out to become a death doula. Like so many others, I was afraid of death—of saying the wrong thing, of not knowing how to help, of feeling powerless in the face of loss. But everything changed the day I sat beside someone in their final moments and realized that presence—not perfection—is what matters most.
I saw how our culture treats death as something to be feared, something to avoid talking about until it’s too late. But in that quiet space between life and death, I witnessed something profound: peace, connection, and the possibility of a meaningful goodbye. That’s when I knew—this work is not about death. It’s about life, about dignity, about love.
I created this training because I believe no one should have to navigate the end of life alone—not the dying, not their loved ones, and not those called to this sacred work. If you feel drawn to be a steady presence in the storm, to hold space for peace and healing, you are needed.
This program is here to guide you, just as I was once guided. Whether you’re stepping into this work for the first time or deepening your existing skills, you’ll leave with the confidence, knowledge, and community to walk this path with purpose.
Are you ready to answer the call?
Frequently Asked Questions
When and how does the training take place?
The training runs for 8 weeks on Wednesday nights from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PST.
Recorded sessions of weekly lectures will be available and Zoom office hours weekly for Questions, Case Studies, Role Play. This equates to nearly 40 hours of training in addition to written materials for each chapter.
What are the dates for the next session?
The next cohort begins on May 21, 2025.
May 21
May28
June 4
June 11 - via Zoom
June 18
June 25
July 2
July 9 - via Zoom
Where is the training held?
We’ll meet in person in Auburn, CA and on Zoom (see schedule above)
Is there a virtual option for this training?
At this time, this training is offered in-person to create an immersive, hands-on learning experience. The in-person training will be supported with online course materials (recorded separately) and suggested reading. Zoom office hours will be available weekly. It is possible to not attend the live sessions and rely on the recorded material only and join the Zoom office hours. I do not offer hybrid in-person/Zoom as a matter of preference and to ensure each student gets the highest level of interaction and attention in class.
What will I learn in this training?
You’ll gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to support individuals and families through end-of-life transitions. Topics include:
✅ Legal and healthcare planning resources
✅ The physical process of dying and how to provide comfort
✅ Emotional and spiritual support techniques
✅ Legacy projects and meaningful goodbyes
✅ Vigil planning and sacred crossing rituals
✅ Funeral and memorial planning options
How much does the training cost?
The full program investment is $724.
Do I need prior experience to enroll?
No experience is necessary! Whether you are new to this work or expanding your skills, this training is designed to meet you where you are.
Will I receive a certification?
Yes! Upon completing the full program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion recognizing your training as a death doula indicating an internal certification from Compass Doula Collective. The course materials will prepare you to test for proficiency badges and other external certifications available within the industry. Know that there is not currently a governing body to regulate doula training - this is an area where great work is being done by so many of my colleagues to create a clear, comprehensive path to this important work.
The certification through Compass Doula Collective entitles you to be in the referral network free of charge for a full year.
What if I have more questions?
We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Christy, and we’ll be happy to help. This is going to be so fun!
This Training Is for Those Who Want to Do This Work—Not Just Learn About It.
If you’re ready for a deeply immersive, supportive, and transformative learning experience, this training will give you the skills, confidence, and heart-centered approach you need to step into this work fully prepared.
👉 Spaces are limited to keep the training interactive—enroll today and take the first step toward becoming a compassionate guide for end-of-life transitions.