Death Doula & Pet Death Doula Certification | IEOLCA

For those called to compassionate end-of-life care

Online Death Doula & Pet Death Doula Training & Certification

Maybe you’ve cared for someone you love, supported a beloved pet, or wondered how to help when words aren’t enough. Our online programs help you build the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to offer compassionate support.

Where does your heart lead you?

Supporting peopleEnd-of-Life Doula Quiz Supporting pets & their peoplePet Death Doula Quiz

Free quizzes to help you explore what draws you to this work.

Or explore our training programs
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Learning with IEOLCA

Find the training that fits your path.

Preparing to become a doula, deepening the care you already offer, or supporting someone you love? Find practical, reflective learning for your next step.

Black Friday bonus

Enroll in End-of-Life Doula or Pet Death Doula Certification by November 30 and get the matching Business Essentials course free (a $99 value). Ends November 30 at 11:59 pm Pacific. Can’t be combined with other offers.

Companionship and support for an older adult resting at homeOur foundational certification
Comprehensive Certification

End-of-Life Doula Certification

Tuition from $262.50 USD

Build confidence in bedside presence, meaningful conversations, advance care planning, grief, and family support through our comprehensive online death doula training.

  • Personal feedback and ongoing mentorship
  • 28 modules, with learning at your own pace
  • Certificate, digital badge, and complimentary directory listing
  • Lifetime access to learning and graduate resources

Black Friday bonus Enroll by November 30 and get Business Essentials for Death Doulas free (a $99 value), at every tuition level.

Explore EOLD certification →

Curious if death doula work is right for you? Take the free quiz

Gentle companionship for an aging dog and the person who loves themSupporting animals and their people
Pet Death Doula Certification

Pet Death Doula Certification

Tuition from $174.50 USD

Turn your connection with animals into thoughtful support through declining health, end-of-life choices, remembrance, and pet loss.

  • Personal feedback on your assignments
  • 8 guided modules, with learning at your own pace
  • Certificate, digital badge, and complimentary directory listing
  • Lifetime access to learning and graduate resources

Black Friday bonus Enroll by November 30 and get Business Essentials for Pet Death Doulas free (a $99 value), at both tuition levels.

Explore pet certification →

Wondering if pet death doula work is right for you? Take the free quiz

More ways to deepen your care

Focused programs

Explore all programs →
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Dementia and memory care

Dementia & Memory Care Doula Training

Support the person beyond the diagnosis, with communication, caregiver care and end-of-life presence.

From $124.50 USDLearn more
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MAiD, AID, VAD, PAD & VSED

Medical Aid in Dying Doula Support

Thoughtful, non-medical support for family conversations, preparation, day-of presence and aftercare.

From $124.50 USDLearn more
A doula planning her practice at the kitchen table
For trained doulas

Business Essentials

Shape your services, price with confidence and build a sustainable practice. For death doulas and pet death doulas.

$99 USDDeath doulas Pet death doulas
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Ritual and meaningful care

Cultural, Religious & Spiritual Rituals

Bring curiosity and cultural humility to the rituals that matter to each person and family.

$29 USDLearn more
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For families caring at home

Courses for Family Caregivers

Caring for someone you love near the end of life? Five short, gentle online courses offer practical guidance, comfort and support, one step at a time.

  • Caring for Someone Who Is Dying
  • When Death Is Near
  • Creating Comfort at the End of Life
  • Conversations That Matter
  • Caring for Yourself While Caring for Another
$29 USD per course · All five for $99 USD Explore family caregiver courses →
Why IEOLCA

Practical learning. Personal support.

Clarity, confidence, and useful ways to care—with support as you find your path.

Thoughtfully built learning

A clear curriculum grounded in end-of-life care, with practical learning and reflection woven together.

Personal attention

Your IEOLCA educator personally reviews required assignments, with feedback that supports your learning.

Tools for real care

Program-specific guidebooks, conversation prompts, worksheets, and templates help you put learning into practice.

Care that honors each person

The Platinum Rule, clear scope, and ethical boundaries guide how we teach compassionate support.

Room for your life

Learn at your own pace, return with lifetime access, and choose from available honor-based tuition options.

Support beyond certification

Graduates receive lifetime Graduate Hub access, digital assets, continued resources, and a complimentary directory listing.

About IEOLCA

Education rooted in dignity, presence, and practical care.

IEOLCA was created to make comprehensive end-of-life education accessible to people called to this work. Our approach is grounded in the Platinum Rule: supporting each person as they wish to be supported, with respect for their values, culture, relationships, and definition of meaningful care.

Co-founders Amy-Lynne Mahon and Perry Metheral bring experience in end-of-life care, hospice, spiritual care, grief and bereavement support, and postgraduate medical education. Together, they created IEOLCA to unite compassionate presence, clear scope, reflective learning, and practical preparation.

Meet IEOLCA's Co-founders →
IEOLCA co-founders Amy-Lynne Mahon and Perry Metheral
Amy-Lynne Mahon & Perry Metheral IEOLCA Co-founders
Finding clarity

Questions as you explore your next step.

You may be looking for a new direction, a more confident way to support others, or learning that fits alongside the life you already have. Start with the questions that matter to you.

Finding your path

You can begin with curiosity, lived experience, or a wish to offer more.

I feel drawn to this work, but I’m not sure where I fit. Can I start here?
Yes. You may be exploring after a personal loss, recognizing a thread of caregiving in your life, or looking for a meaningful new direction. You do not need to have a business plan or a settled professional identity to begin learning. Our free quizzes can help you reflect on what draws you to supporting people or animals, and the program pages explain what each path includes.
Do I need a healthcare background or previous doula training?
No healthcare background is required for our foundational End-of-Life Doula and Pet Death Doula programs. Students bring many kinds of experience, including family caregiving, hospice volunteering, animal care, spiritual care, and an interest in supporting others. Our teaching focuses on non-medical support, clear boundaries, and knowing when to refer to another professional.
Can I learn for personal growth, family care, or volunteering?
Yes. Some students want to develop a doula practice; others want to feel more prepared in their family, community, volunteer role, or existing profession. You are welcome to learn for the reasons that matter to you. The program pages explain any assessment requirements for those pursuing a certificate or certification.

Choosing your learning

Find the program that connects with the care you want to offer.

How do I choose between the End-of-Life Doula and Pet Death Doula programs?
The End-of-Life Doula program focuses on supporting people and families through dying, death, grief, and remembrance. The Pet Death Doula program focuses on animals and the people who love them, including anticipatory grief, quality-of-life conversations, end-of-life choices, rituals, and pet loss. Some learners choose both. Neither role replaces medical or veterinary care.
I already work in a helping profession. Can this build on what I do?
Yes. You may be looking for more confidence in difficult conversations, practical grief-support resources, or a clearer approach to being present. Our foundational and focused programs offer different ways to deepen that learning. Choose according to your interests and current role, and continue to follow the scope and requirements of your own profession.
What if I have already completed end-of-life doula training elsewhere?
Our Bridge Pathway may be an option for learners with qualifying prior end-of-life doula education who want to pursue IEOLCA certification. Eligibility and assessment requirements apply. The Bridge Pathway page explains what is involved so you can determine whether it fits your previous learning.

Learning with IEOLCA

Understand the pace, the support, and the practical side of learning.

How does self-paced learning work, and how long will I have access?
Programs are online and self-paced, with lifetime access. You can work around employment, caregiving, and other commitments, pause when you need to, and return to the material. Completion time varies by program and learner; the individual program pages describe their structure and requirements.
Will I receive personal feedback and practical resources?
Amy-Lynne personally reviews required student assignments. Resources vary by program and can include guidebooks, conversation prompts, worksheets, and templates to help you connect learning with care. Each program page describes its materials, assessments, and support so you can see what is included before enrolling.
Will the training help me understand what to say and how to help?
The programs explore practical ways to listen, invite conversations, support families, honor wishes, and respond to grief within a non-medical role. Reflection helps you consider your own experiences and assumptions alongside the skills you are learning. The aim is to help you approach care with greater clarity and confidence while recognizing when someone needs medical, veterinary, mental-health, or other professional support.

Tuition & what comes next

Clear information about access, completion, and continued connection.

How does honor-based tuition work?
For programs with tuition options, you self-select an available tuition level according to your circumstances. No application or proof of income is required. Every level within the same program provides the same learning materials, access, and support. Available levels and prices are shown on the individual program pages.
What is the difference between a certificate and certification?
Our End-of-Life Doula and Pet Death Doula certification programs have their own completion and assessment requirements, including the relevant Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice. Focused programs may award a certificate of completion rather than a doula certification. Each program page identifies the award and its requirements. An IEOLCA credential does not grant a medical license or permission to work outside your scope.
What support is available after certification?
Certification graduates receive lifetime access to the IEOLCA Graduate Hub, continued resources and professional tools, their certificate and digital assets, and a complimentary IEOLCA Doula Directory listing. These provide ways to stay connected and continue developing as you bring your learning into your own community.
What if I enroll and discover the program is not the right fit?
IEOLCA programs include a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you have questions about a program or need help deciding where to begin, you can also contact us before enrolling.

Have a question about your own path? Write to us at office@ieolca.org →

A thoughtful next step

Make room for what’s calling you.

Explore the learning that speaks to the care you want to offer. Whether you’re finding your direction or ready to begin, there’s room to take your next step here.

Explore Our Programs →Free End-of-Life Doula Quiz
Self-paced learning · Lifetime access · 60-day money-back guarantee
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