What does love look like in the face of death?

The Going with Grace End of Life Training course will develop your unique offering and prepare you to make it come alive in the world. 

Death doulas and end of life planners will play a unique role in today’s society as it prepares to embrace shifting consciousness around dying coupled with a shifting generational dynamic.  Using cultural, philosophical, and personal perspectives, students will explore conscious dying as a vehicle for a conscious living while critically examining their own narratives on death and dying. This end of life training course develops certified death doulas and end of life planners steeped in ancient wisdom traditions adapted to modern times. We prepare students to take the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) proficiency assessment which is the only recognition of a death doula’s competency in the work and offers a badge of proficiency that holds international weight.

The curriculum provides a deep dive into how we die in the 21st Century and techniques on how to best support people while they do it.  You will gain a keen eye for the needs of the people you serve as they navigate dying while expanding your innate capacity for care.

Each module contains videos from your facilitator and a variety of experts in the field to create a context for the work, curated exercises to deepen your practice, and assignments to further your skills.

Are you ready to heed the call?

Enrollment is NOW OPEN for April 2024 Group Study!

It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to support through a death. Let’s become the pillars of that village.

Hear what our students are saying about the program

Meet the End of Life Training Program Contributors

Meet the End of Life Training Program Facilitators

END OF LIFE TRAINING

In this unique 12 module online program, you will learn the major pillars of death care—emotional, practical, legal and spiritual.

Students will learn to:

SELF STUDY

For a contribution of US$1495, you can move through the training at your own pace, finishing the videos, exercises and assignments when it is convenient for you.

While this is a distance learning program, this knowledge is deeply personal.

With three flexible payment options to choose from, you can decide what works best for you. (One time payment, 3 month payment plan, 6 month payment plan)

GROUP STUDY

For a more immersive and focused learning experience, consider joining a group of students for a contribution of US$1895. You will work alongside a group of students with direct interaction and feedback from your experienced Facilitator, moving at the pace of one module a week.

With three flexible payment options to choose from, you can decide what works best for you. (One time payment, 3 month payment plan, 6 month payment plan)

IN-PERSON INTENSIVE RETREAT

During this in-person training experience, students can take time away from their normal routines of life to share space, wisdom, and communal medicine as they explore the ancient and practical craft of supporting others through death and dying. Much like death itself, which is done in community, death practices are also best learned and assimilated in community.

Students will learn alongside Alua Arthur, the Going with Grace team, and an intimate cohort of like-minded individuals from all over the world. Participants of this unique opportunity will complete the comprehensive End of Life Training Program, sharpen their skills, and explore life’s most complex and simplest questions.

FAQ's

Do you have additional questions about the Going with Grace End of Life Training Program, or Death Doula profession? Email support@goingwithgrace.com and our team would be happy to assist you.

What is a Death Doula or End of Life Planner?

A death doula or an end of life planner is an umbrella term for those that provide non-medical care and support to people as they prepare for death and for families after a death.  Called death midwives, death doulas, and end of life planners, this is an emerging field of care, despite the fact that this role has existed as long as (hu)man.

There are as many different practice models as there is end of life professionals. For some, being bedside is of primary importance. Others provide a full range of support for the practical needs nearing the end of life, answering the many ‘how’s that come along with it.  And for others still, it involves spiritual guidance and home funerals. No matter how you choose to provide support through dying, this can be done in a professional or personal manner.

What skills/background do I need to do this work?

It is not necessary to have a special educational background to begin being with dying.  Realistically, you’ve already got most of the skills you need! Kindness, compassion, creativity, patience, and deep listening go a long way when supporting people for death.  However, it is important to possess some other knowledge in preparing people for death.  You can learn it all in this program, and gain experience in the field. Find a hospice program near you and sign up to volunteer.  Not only will you gain practical experience, but you will also build connections, and support a crucial component of end of life care.

There is currently no certifying body for end of life professionals nor is there a singular standard of education in the field. Currently, the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) is the only body that offers a micro-credential for death doulas. When you complete this course, you will be prepared to take the assessment to gain your badge of proficiency which you can use in your marketing and evidence of your capacity as an end of life doula. As you select a program, it is important to choose an instructor that you resonate with, as this trainer will be teaching you end of life care as they deem it effective. Trust not only your intuition but the success of the trainers in their chosen fields.  And remember that this learning experience should deepen your own understanding of death and dying while increasing your capacity to be effective for others.

Are there career options available after I complete this course?

For now, death doulas and other end of life professionals are private practitioners and entrepreneurs raising awareness about the work and paving the path for this field to become an institutional standard for end of life care.  Developed to meet the emerging needs of society discovered through the practice, this course will teach you all elements of effective non-medical end of life support.  This work can be easily integrated into your current practice: estate planners, massage therapists, teachers, caregivers, the list goes on!  Use this course to enhance your current offerings or create a new path. The opportunities are endless.

Going with Grace envisions an end of life planner position available in a cross section of industries as society’s needs for competent end of life support increases. Culturally, we’ve undergone a shift in how we relate to birth and we believe the same is possible for death.  For now, we are committed to creating standardized levels of education and competencies to ensure that the training programs can prepare people to professionally support at the end of life and receive compensation to do so.

When is the Enrollment Deadline for Group Study?

Enrollment closes the Friday prior to the course start, or when the course reaches capacity, whichever comes first.

What payment options are available for the program?

Both the Self Study and Group Study programs have one-time, 3-month, and 6-month payment plans available.

Please email support@goingwithgrace.com if you would like more information.

Am I guaranteed enrollment after applying?

If your application is accepted you will receive a congratulatory enrollment email with all of the enrollment details. We cap each session of the group training at 50 students to maintain the integrity of the program and enrollment fills on a first-come basis. If your first choice session fills before you are able to enroll, you will be able to enroll in a future session or join our Self Study Program.

What is the refund policy?

  • Up to 72 hours before the course begins – 100% refund or choice of deferment to a future Group Study session or the Self Study Program
  • Course Completion through Module 1 – 50% refund or deferment to the Self Study Program
  • Course Completion past Module 1 – No refund. Deferment to the Self Study Program only.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email support@goingwithgrace.com.

What is the deferment policy?

  • You may defer your Group Study start date one time before the course in which you are currently enrolled begins. If you are on a payment plan, your payments will continue.
  • If you need to defer enrollment after your Group Study course has begun, you will be permitted to do so with permission from the Program Director and will receive a transfer to our Self Study Program.
  • If you need to defer more than once before the course in which you are currently enrolled begins you may choose to receive a refund and relinquish your held spot in the course and re-enroll when you are able or transfer to our Self Study Program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email support@goingwithgrace.com.

Student Testimonials

We have proudly trained over 2000 students from 17 countries around the world to become Death Doulas. Hear what their experience was like as an End of Life Training Student.

Facilitators

The Going with Grace Facilitators are a team of knowledgeable and committed Death Doulas who will support students by leading courses, workshops, and webinars. These facilitators were engaged and dynamic End of Life Training students, exceptional leaders as Student Guides, and have shown a strong commitment to their communities and this work.

Scholarship Program

The Going with Grace End of Life Training Course is honored to offer a scholarship program.  If you are in need of financial support to join the training, learn more about it on our Scholarship page.

Donorship Program

Would you like to help other End of Life Training students who cannot afford to? Our Donorship Program allows you to directly contribute to training new death doulas, and bring additional support and resources to people at the end of their lives. Thank you for your support.

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Are you ready to heed the call?