Compare 10 Death Doula Programs: Find Your Best Fit

INELDA is recognized for immersive, experiential death doula training that emphasizes reflective practice, mentorship, and community building. Their cohort-based model creates structured learning with significant peer support and guided skill development.

Training includes role-play scenarios, reflective exercises, facilitated discussions, and mentorship components. INELDA focuses deeply on personal awareness work—exploring your own relationship with death, grief, and mortality as foundation for supporting others. The program cultivates both technical skills and emotional capacity for end-of-life companionship.

INELDA maintains a strong alumni network with ongoing education, regional chapters, and professional development opportunities. Many graduates value the lasting community connections and continued learning pathways.

Curriculum Depth: Excellent. Comprehensive with strong emphasis on personal development.

Practical Resources: Good. Focus more on experiential learning than templates.

Community Support: Excellent. Strong cohort bonds and alumni network.

Value for Investment: Good. Higher cost but includes mentorship and community.

Doulagivers provides structured death doula training organized around phases of care, combining online learning with periodic live or cohort elements. The program offers clear pathways through end-of-life doula education with established frameworks and community support.

Training emphasizes care planning, communication skills, family support, and legacy work. The structured approach helps students understand their role within larger care systems and develop systematic approaches to doula support. Doulagivers maintains an active community of practitioners for networking and ongoing learning.

The program includes practical tools for client engagement, planning documents, and business resources to support establishing a doula practice. The combination of online flexibility with scheduled community touchpoints appeals to many learners.

Curriculum Depth: Very Good. Comprehensive with systematic approach.

Practical Resources: Very Good. Planning tools and business resources.

Community Support: Very Good. Active network with ongoing connection.

Value for Investment: Good. Mid-range pricing with solid support.

IEOLCA offers comprehensive, fully online end-of-life doula education designed for global accessibility and flexible learning. The self-paced format accommodates students in 75+ countries with varying schedules, time zones, and life commitments. View full program details and enroll here.

The curriculum spans 27 structured modules organized into three phases: Foundations (building awareness and historical context), Core Training (practical skills and bedside support), and Integration (reflection and practice preparation). Students receive a detailed 164-page guidebook and 143-page resource companion with templates, forms, and planning tools immediately applicable to client work.

Course content covers the dying process, grief literacy, compassionate communication, vigil planning, cultural considerations, legacy work, guided imagery, ethics and boundaries, and business essentials. The program emphasizes the "Platinum Rule"—treating others as they wish to be treated—which guides culturally humble, person-centered practice.

Curriculum Depth: Excellent. Covers all core death doula competencies with actionable resources.

Practical Resources: Extensive. Guidebook, resource companion, downloadable templates.

Community Support: Moderate. Self-paced means less built-in peer interaction.

Value for Investment: Excellent. Comprehensive training at accessible price point.

Going With Grace integrates practical end-of-life doula training with values-based reflection and cultural humility. The program emphasizes compassionate advocacy, social justice perspectives, and creating equitable access to quality end-of-life care.

Training includes reflection on privilege, power dynamics, and systemic barriers in end-of-life care. Students explore how to provide culturally responsive support across diverse communities and situations. The cohort model creates supportive learning environment with emphasis on personal growth alongside skill development.

Going With Grace offers scholarship opportunities to increase accessibility for learners from underrepresented communities. Many graduates highlight the program's commitment to justice and inclusion as distinctive element of their training experience.

Curriculum Depth: Excellent. Comprehensive with justice perspective.

Practical Resources: Good. Balanced with reflective work.

Community Support: Excellent. Strong cohort bonds and values alignment.

Value for Investment: Good. Higher cost with scholarship options available.

Rhodes Wellness College integrates death doula training with coaching and counseling skills, emphasizing holistic approach to end-of-life support. The program attracts learners interested in blending doula work with wellness, coaching, or therapeutic modalities.

Training focuses on self-awareness, compassionate communication, presence skills, and emotional support alongside practical doula competencies. The coaching integration helps students develop active listening, powerful questioning, and reflective techniques valuable in end-of-life conversations.

Rhodes offers various delivery formats depending on intake, including online, in-person, and blended options. Students should verify current format and requirements when considering enrollment.

Curriculum Depth: Very Good. Strong communication focus.

Practical Resources: Good. Emphasis on skill practice.

Community Support: Good. Varies by format and cohort.

Value for Investment: Good. Unique integration of modalities.

IDLM offers practical death doula training with emphasis on bedside presence and advocacy. The self-paced structure with optional live components allows learners to start quickly while gaining foundational skills for hands-on doula work.

Training focuses on practical aspects of death doula support: bedside companionship, family communication, comfort measures (non-medical), and advocacy within healthcare settings. The program provides accessible entry points for those eager to begin serving families while continuing their education.

IDLM's approach appeals to action-oriented learners who prefer learning through doing. The flexible format accommodates those who want to begin practice sooner rather than later, with optional live sessions providing additional support and community connection.

Curriculum Depth: Good. Practical foundation with room for expansion.

Practical Resources: Good. Focus on applicable skills and tools.

Community Support: Moderate. Optional live sessions provide connection.

Value for Investment: Very Good. Accessible entry point with practical focus.

Douglas College offers end-of-life doula education through their continuing studies department, providing institutional structure and Canadian practice context. The college format appeals to learners who value academic environments and established educational frameworks.

Curriculum typically covers communication skills, cultural perspectives, grief understanding, and practical support techniques within structured, time-bound courses. The institutional setting provides clear learning outcomes, assessment frameworks, and potential pathways to additional credentials.

As offerings vary by term and enrollment, prospective students should check current schedules, formats (online vs. in-person), and specific course content directly with the college. The program suits those comfortable in traditional educational settings.

Curriculum Depth: Moderate. Foundational with institutional rigor.

Practical Resources: Moderate. Focus on knowledge and skills development.

Community Support: Moderate. Cohort-based during course term.

Value for Investment: Good. Affordable institutional option with credibility.

Laurentian University provides end-of-life doula education through asynchronous online micro-credentials, combining university academic structure with self-directed learning flexibility. The program suits learners seeking recognized university credentials while maintaining schedule independence.

Coursework employs academic frameworks and evidence-based approaches to end-of-life care education. The asynchronous format allows students to progress through materials within term parameters while balancing other commitments. University structure provides clear expectations, assessment criteria, and institutional support.

Micro-credential offerings may vary by session, so prospective students should verify current modules, fees, and any prerequisite requirements directly with the university. The format appeals to self-directed learners who value academic rigor and university-issued credentials.

Curriculum Depth: Good. Academic and evidence-based.

Practical Resources: Moderate. Emphasis on knowledge and frameworks.

Community Support: Limited. Asynchronous format reduces peer interaction.

Value for Investment: Good. University credential at moderate cost.

Home Hospice Association offers community-oriented death doula education through workshops and practical scenario-based sessions, with particular focus on Canadian context and community care models. The program emphasizes peer engagement and applied learning.

Training typically includes foundational workshops on end-of-life support combined with scenario nights where learners practice skills in realistic situations with peer feedback. The community focus creates opportunities for local networking and relationship-building with other end-of-life care providers.

Offerings and topics vary over time, so prospective students should review current schedules and available courses. The workshop format works well for those preferring modular learning with hands-on practice components and local community connection.

Curriculum Depth: Moderate. Workshop-based foundational training.

Practical Resources: Good. Scenario practice and peer learning.

Community Support: Very Good. Strong local community connections.

Value for Investment: Very Good. Accessible workshops with practical focus.

IAP Career College provides accessible, beginner-friendly online death doula training designed as approachable entry point into end-of-life care education. The self-paced format and lower price point make it practical for exploring the field before committing to more intensive study.

Curriculum establishes foundational knowledge relevant to death doula support, covering basic end-of-life concepts, communication principles, and introduction to doula role. The program works well as starting point for those testing their interest in end-of-life work or seeking preliminary education before pursuing advanced training.

As introductory-level training, graduates may need additional education or mentorship for complex practice scenarios. The program provides solid foundation for understanding death doula work and determining if deeper study aligns with personal and professional goals.

Curriculum Depth: Basic. Solid introduction with room for expansion.

Practical Resources: Limited. Foundational concepts and basics.

Community Support: Limited. Self-paced with minimal community elements.

Value for Investment: Excellent. Very affordable exploration opportunity.