Certified End-of-Life Doula
Learn non-medical bedside presence, planning, family support, grief, ethics, and scope.
Online End-of-Life Doula Training and Certification
For Those Called to Compassionate End-of-Life Care
IEOLCA offers compassionate, practical, self-paced education for the many ways we care. From end-of-life doula certification to pet death doula training, dementia and memory care, Medical Aid in Dying support, and business essentials, our programs help you build the knowledge, confidence, and skills to accompany others through life's most tender moments.
Feeling drawn to death doula work?
Could becoming a death doula be right for you?
Take our free readiness quiz to reflect on your strengths, interests, and readiness for end-of-life doula training.
Welcome to IEOLCA
Compassionate education for the many ways we care.
There are many ways to accompany someone through dying, death, grief, and remembrance. Some of us are preparing for professional doula work. Others are supporting a beloved person or animal, caring for someone living with dementia, or seeking to bring greater presence to the work we already do.
At the International End-of-Life Care Association, our online, self-paced programs bring thoughtful reflection together with practical skills, ethical guidance, and respect for the beliefs and choices of each individual and family.
From foundational end-of-life doula certification and pet death doula certification to focused learning in dementia care, aid in dying, ritual, and building a doula practice, you can explore the path that speaks to you.
Presence. Reflection. Connection.
The heart of end-of-life doula care
Student Testimonial
Practical learning that builds confidence
★★★★★
“IEOLCA's Certified End-of-Life Doula training is by far the most empowering and practical of the doula courses I have taken. I feel much more equipped for this work with the instruction, examples, and tools Amy-Lynne has provided.”
Laurie Campbell · Certified End-of-Life Doula · Verified Google Review
Explore Our Programs
Many ways to learn. One shared commitment to care.
Discover six distinct learning pathways. Each offers thoughtful, practical education; choose the one that reflects where you are and what matters to you.
Certified Pet Death Doula
Support people through companion animal decline, euthanasia, remembrance, and pet-loss grief.
Dementia & Memory Care Doula
Explore compassionate communication, personhood, caregiver support, and quality of life.
Medical Aid in Dying Support
Offer ethical, scope-aware presence, preparation, and aftercare around assisted dying.
Cultural, Religious & Spiritual Rituals
Approach meaningful rituals and diverse traditions with sensitivity and cultural humility.
Business Essentials for Death Doulas
Build a values-led practice with clear services, pricing, agreements, and outreach.
Student Testimonial
Accessible education and meaningful support
★★★★★
“I was so impressed by the comprehensive information presented and how closely the material reflects real support for those transitioning. Thank you for making this training accessible, flexible, and affordable. I feel supported and confident as I move forward in this service.”
Jennifer Cotton · IEOLCA Certified End-of-Life Doula
Why IEOLCA
Compassionate education with real-world depth.
Our strongest differences are woven into the way you learn, the support you receive, the accessibility of the training, and the practical preparation that continues beyond graduation.
Self-paced learning with lifetime access
Begin anytime, study around your life, and return to the lessons, guidebooks, and resources whenever you need them.
Practitioner-led with personal guidance
The training is shaped by real end-of-life, hospice, spiritual care, and medical education experience. Amy-Lynne personally reviews every required assignment and welcomes questions throughout.
Accessible, trust-based tuition
Choose from tuition options of up to 70% off through a simple honor-based system, with no formal application required.
Practical tools for real-world care
Move from reflection into practice with scripts, templates, worksheets, guidebooks, and language for the conversations this work asks of you.
Clear scope and ethical grounding
Learn how to offer meaningful non-medical support while respecting boundaries, referrals, family systems, care teams, and local regulations.
Support that continues after graduation
Graduates receive their credential, digital badge, Graduate Hub resources, and the opportunity to join the IEOLCA Doula Directory.
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.
Amy-Lynne Mahon & Perry Metheral
IEOLCA Co-founders
Student Stories
Student Testimonial
Thoughtful, comprehensive learning
★★★★★
“An incredible resource for those seeking a thorough curriculum. The combination of videos and written materials provides an in-depth overview of compassion, listening, person-centered care, family relations, proper boundaries, and self-care.”
Robert R.
IEOLCA Certified End-of-Life Doula
Student Testimonial
Guidance for compassionate, ethical support
★★★★★
“IEOLCA gave me practical tools, guidance on boundaries, and a deeper understanding of how to support people with compassion during one of life's most sacred times.”
April L.
IEOLCA Certified End-of-Life Doula
Student Testimonial
Finding the missing piece
★★★★★
“I completed a death doula certification course through another organization, but felt like something essential was missing. This course is exactly what I was looking for.”
Annette K.
IEOLCA Certified End-of-Life Doula
Student Testimonial
Care for people and animal companions
★★★★★
“IEOLCA has deepened my relationship with life, aging and death. As a 25 year pet professional and life coach, I was searching for a program that offered support for both people and animals. The pet death doula and human death doula certifications from IEOLCA far exceeded my expectations!”
Sage Lewis
Creature Teacher · IEOLCA End-of-Life & Pet Death Doula
Student Testimonial
Tools for compassionate pet-loss support
★★★★★
“Training with IEOLCA's Pet Death Doula program provided valuable information, thoughtful reflection, compassionate guidance on grief, and important tools and templates.”
Nancy M.
Graduate, IEOLCA Pet Death Doula Training
Student Testimonial
A meaningful path forward
★★★★★
“This course not only reaffirmed my intuition, but gave me a road to follow. I can't wait for this journey to begin. It grounded me so I can help others.”
Jacob L. Schlanger
Graduate, IEOLCA Pet Death Doula Training
Student Testimonial
Honoring pets and the families who love them
★★★★★
“This training helped me understand that walking with an animal at the end of their life is a sacred honour. I now have the required tools to support pets and their humans through this final transition.”
C. Brown
Graduate, IEOLCA Pet Death Doula Training
Student Testimonial
A journey of clarity and purpose
★★★★★
“I'm really enjoying this process. It's giving me such a sense of direction and well-being. This has been an amazing journey.”
Lisa F.
IEOLCA Certified End-of-Life Doula
Common questions
Questions you may be carrying.
What if I feel called, but I'm not sure I'm ready?+
That is a very common place to begin. Many students arrive with a sense of calling before they have language, structure, or clarity. IEOLCA training is designed to help you explore this work gently and practically.
Do I need a medical background?+
No. IEOLCA programs are focused on non-medical support. You do not need to be a clinician to study with us or to offer meaningful end-of-life doula support within scope.
Is this only for people who want to become professional death doulas?+
No. Some students are building a practice, while others are caregivers, hospice volunteers, chaplains, nurses, grief workers, or family members who want to feel more prepared and confident.
Can I study at my own pace?+
Yes. IEOLCA programs are online and self-paced, so you can move through the material in a way that fits your life. You can pause, return, and revisit the training as needed.
Do you offer accessible tuition options?+
Yes. We believe cost should not be the reason someone is unable to answer this calling. IEOLCA offers accessible tuition options of up to 70% off for students who need support. No formal application is required; we use a trust-based system.
Where should I start?+
If you're exploring death doula work, start with our free Death Doula Readiness Quiz. Afterward, you'll also have the opportunity to try a complete Life Review module from the Certified End-of-Life Doula program. If you're looking for foundational certification, you can explore the full program directly.
How much does certification cost?+
The Certified End-of-Life Doula program has honor-based tuition options from $262.50 to $875 USD. Every option includes the complete 28-module program, lifetime access, personal assignment feedback, and the IEOLCA Certified End-of-Life Doula credential after successful completion.
How long does certification take?+
The 28-module Certified End-of-Life Doula program is fully online and self-paced. Completion time varies by learner, so you can move through the lessons around your life and return to the material whenever you need it.
Feeling drawn to death doula work?
Could becoming a death doula be right for you?
Take our free readiness quiz to reflect on your strengths, interests, and readiness for end-of-life doula training.