End of Life Doula Online Training Services

The new field of the end-of-life doula is growing rapidly. Be a part of this exciting new profession. Put your life experiences to work. Enhance your existing skills or business practice.

Merilynne has been training end-of-life doulas since 2016. In addition to having been a hospice nurse, she brings her 40 years of experience caring for families in transition to this work. Her training is dynamic and comprehensive and prepares you to earn your Proficiency Badge through the National End-of-life Doula Alliance, of which Merilynne is President.

Merilynne served as President of The National End-of-life Doula Alliance (NEDA) February, 2018 to October, 2020, serves as a founding member of the NHPCO EOLD Advisory Council, has published widely on end-of-life issues, and is engaged in international doula research.

Upcoming Trainings

End-of-Life Doula Training
LIVE, online via zoom; 5 weeks total

Saturdays September 19 - October 17, 2020
​1:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT/10:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT
Learn more about our training details on our FAQs About The Dying Year Doula Trainings. If you are interested in pursuing certification, you can get started on our EOLD Certification page.
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Guest Teachers

In addition to Merilynne, four dynamic and diverse women, including two women of color, provide instruction for The Dying Year end-of-life doula training. They are
Jess Kilbourn, Ypsilanti, MI
Robin Bow, Ann Arbor, MI
Toula Saratsis, Ann Arbor, MI
​Olivia Hunter, Baltimore, MD

What you will learn

In each class we discuss the physical, emotional, spiritual, cognitive and social/cultural
needs of the dying individual and their family, caregiver(s) and community, as well as the doula's role and non-medical, hands-on comfort measures. The class is divided into the following five sections. Three to five hours of preparatory reading, viewing and journaling is sent to students 1-2 weeks ahead of time.

Class 1: Initial Diagnosis
  • Centering and breathing
  • Self-awareness, bias, equity, and inclusion
  • Caring for LGBTQ older adults
  • The Doula Model of Care, Code of Ethics, Scope of Practice, and EOLD role
  • Communication
  • Documentation (intake, agreements, resources)
  • Creating a circle of support
​Class 2: Advancing Illness
  • Advance Care Planning
  • Life review and legacy work
  • Anticipatory grief
  • Shifting roles and decision-making
  • Community resources and care settings
  • Dying is not a medical event
  • Palliative care, including pediatric
  • Hospice care
Class 3: End-stage Illness and Active Dying
  • Ceremony and ritual
  • Spiritual care
  • Presence and unknowing
  • Cultural appropriation
  • Bedside vigil
  • Advocacy
  • Safety
Class 4: Death and After Death Care
  • Immediate care of the body
  • Funeral plans, including home funeral
  • Disposition, including green burial
  • Grief and bereavement, including children's grief
  • Ongoing support
Class 5: Summary and Next Steps
  • Establishing your EOL doula practice
  • What services to offer
  • Self care
  • Certification
Who will benefit from end-of-life doula training?
  • Anyone who wants to become a professional end-of-life doula
  • Hospice volunteers and others wanting to serve
  • Family members and friends of the dying
  • Hospice and palliative care providers
  • Midwives and doulas
  • Nurses, doctors, and social workers
  • Clergy, chaplains, celebrants
  • Healers and therapists
  • Those who provide home care and companion care
  • Life coaches
 
Who should not take this training?
This training is designed for those who are preparing to care for others. Therefore, it is not recommended for the recently bereaved or those who are currently very ill. If you have concerns, please ask.
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​Compassionate Communities: A Public Health Approach to End-of-Life Care by Merilynne Rush, MSHP, RN, BSN