CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
When we show up in community, provide direct service, and practice self-awareness—we transform. INELDA’s certification program is built on the principles of the INELDA Doula Approach and developed to build empowered, personally accountable end-of-life doulas who provide ethical, person-centered support. This year-long program is a journey through which doulas reflect on their unique model of care. Doulas will explore through the lens of the INELDA Doula Approach how they deliver care within their communities.
Our educators accompany you through the certification program as a doula, providing you with the autonomy to explore and navigate the interests you have as an end-of-life doula. We learn and gather in a community of practice. There are moments where the program will ask us to learn and unlearn, to move without knowing what comes next, and to release the outcome of what we think we will become—in order to see what we are actually becoming.
- SCHOLARSHIPS: Available (this will reduce the cost to $150)
- REQUIREMENTS: A minimum of 2 cases and up to 5 cases *additional cases may be requested*
- FORMAT: Field hours, journaling, guide assignment, case presentations, personal recommendations, assessment, panel interview
- PREREQUISITE: Complete an INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training. If you have completed another organization’s End-of-Life Doula Training we request you complete the INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training Refresher
- RECERTIFICATION: INELDA Certification is granted for a 3-year period. Need to recertify? CLICK HERE
Join a free DISCOVERY CALL to learn about our certification program.
This program is both rigorous and transformative. By the end of the year each doula is asked to present a project on how their growth over the year has shaped and deepened their practice. The framework of the program will move you through an individual and collective growth experience.
OVERVIEW OF INELDA’S END-OF-LIFE DOULA CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Complete an INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training. If you have completed another organization’s End-of-Life Doula Training we request you complete INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training Refresher
- Complete the application form by September 30, 2024
- Sign the INELDA Code of Ethics & Scope of Practice
- Submit two letters of recommendation — 1 personal and 1 professional
- Submit the required resume or CV highlighting end-of-life experience
- Work with clients as an end-of-life doula in a minimum of 2 cases and to up to 5 cases* totaling 40 hours. *The Certification Guide may require additional case(s)
- One Active Listening & Response (ALR) Journal entry per case
- 3 Personal Journal entries or more
- One case summary and timesheet per case
- 2 Evaluations per case
- Conduct a survey of community resources in your area
- Complete online assessment
- Panel interview
- Submit all materials within 2 years of application
BENEFITS
- Continued development as an EOL Doula
- Personalized one-on-one feedback and guidance
- Increased confidence and expertise in serving the dying
- Contribute to bringing recognition of doulas as a qualified of end-of-life support
- Transform society’s view of dying, one person at a time
FEES AND PROCEDURE
- Attend an INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training. If you have attended another organization’s End-of-Life Doula Training we request you attend INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training Refresher
- Review overview of Certification Process after training
- Apply for a scholarship if you meet the criteria
- Submit application with two letters of recommendations and a resume – $75 by September 30, 2024.
- Submit the first Case Packet for review and feedback
- Submit additional Case Packets — $255 ($30 off for Tier 2 and 3 Members)
- Submit community resources
- Take an online exam
- Participate in an interview with your guide
- Receive the final report and official certification
COST: $1295
DISCOUNTS: Tier 2 and 3 Members will receive $30 off program, or 15% off for Student or Military. Scholarships available.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:
- INELDA-trained doula or completed our Bridge Training if completed another end-of-life doula program.
- CV or Resume
- 2 References
- Documentation of 30 hours of doula experience Learn more here
WHAT IS END-OF-LIFE DOULA CERTIFICATION?
A question that often arises when we consider “certification” is “What does certification mean?” This term is used widely and means something different from one training organization to another. To be clear, the end-of-life doula field does not have a regulatory body nor is it a licensed role.
At INELDA, we have deeply considered what the term “certification” means. We see certification as a purposeful study for doulas layered-in with content material that end-of-life doulas may benefit from knowing and a collaborative learning environment. But perhaps most importantly, INELDA Certification requires 50 direct service hours. This provides transparency and a verification of experience for those looking to engage with doula services.
Our certification program provides the space to—learn, be in community, and expand your direct care skills. Certification for us is a term that acknowledges end-of-life doulas who have embarked on a development process engaging the INELDA Doula Approach in the support that they offer.
We encourage you to research many training organizations to understand what the term “certification” means to them. We trust that you will choose an organization that feels aligned with your educational needs and values. It is also important to note that, being certified as end-of-life doula is not required to support people at end of life.
CERTIFICATION RENEWAL
CERTIFICATION FAQS
Fall 2026-2027 Cohort Program Calendar
Tuesdays from:
- October 13, 2026 | 7-8 PM ET
- November 10, 2026 | 7-9 PM ET
- December 8, 2026 | 7-9 PM ET
- January 12, 2027 | 7-9 PM ET
- February 9, 2027 | 7-9 PM ET
- March 9, 2027 | 7-9 PM ET
- April 13, 2027 | 7-9 PM ET
- May 11, 2027 | 7-9 PM ET
- June 8, 2027 | 7-9 PM ET
- July 13, 2027 | 7-9 PM ET
- August 10, 2027 | 7-9 PM ET
- September 14, 2027 | 7-9:30 PM ET
- October 5, 2027 | 7-8 PM ET
- Spring:
- Registration + Scholarships open 12/15
- Scholarship applications close 2/15, notified 3/1
- Registration closes 3/15, orientation details announced by 4/1
- Start Date – April 15th
- Fall:
- Registration + Scholarships open 6/15
- Scholarship applications close 8/15, notified 9/1
- Registration closes 9/15, orientation details announced by 10/1
The form will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, however pulling together the materials need can take up to 2 hours. It will help to have the materials you hope to submit and your letters of recommendation in PDF format.
The materials you are submitting via the registration form are not evaluated, they are reviewed and allow the certification team to best prepare for you joining the cohort.
The certification group is capped at 40 individuals.
In order to be part of this program, it is important for you to have a way to practice or create end-of-life doula experiences within your community.
Refunds and policies for the program can be found here.
Currently, there is no state or federal regulatory body that certifies end-of-life doulas. Certification is optional, however choosing certification deepens one’s readiness to support the dying through a year-long, cohort process.
We believe in offering continued opportunities for the growth and development of our doulas that enable and encourage their investment in themselves, as well as building high standards of practice in the field. As such, our certification is a designation that the individuals and circle of care our doulas support can trust.
The first step is to take our INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training or our INELDA Hospice Doula Training. If you have completed your end-of-life training with another organization, your first step would be to take our INELDA End-of-Life Doula Bridge Training.
After completing the training, if you wish to pursue certification, you can register for the year-long cohort in the fall or spring. 30 hours of documented doula related services are required.
Click here for more information about recommended doula experience.
COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS:
- Year-long active participation in the certification program online portal, which includes supplementary materials, videos, short classes, forums, and more
- Quarterly self-assessments and progress report
- Engage with your cohort on the online education platform
- Attend and participate in all monthly cohort sessions and continuing education sessions
- Complete journal entries
- Complete self-assessments
- Complete time sheets verifying your fieldwork hours
- Conduct and submit a survey of community resources in your area
- Research and write an end-of-life doula experience integration essay
- Submit all materials within the year-long program
- Participate in a closing ceremony
Yes. For details, click here.
- Engage in continued development as an end-of-life doula
- Receive feedback from your peers and INELDA educators
- Gain increased confidence and expertise in serving your end-of-life community
- Contribute to the rising recognition of end-of-life doulas as qualified non-medical professionals in end-of-life support
- Expand conversations around death and dying
- Develop and elaborate your specialization practice
- INELDA Certified EOL Doulas are highlighted on INELDA’s Doula Directory.
As an INELDA certified end-of-life doula, you may have the opportunity in the future to guide others through:
- INELDA end-of-life doula education
- Certification
- Serving in our peer mentoring and community of practice program
In these ways you actively contribute to the learning of people following the same calling and passion that led you to this service.
Currently, there is no state or federal regulatory body that certifies end-of-life doulas.
We believe in offering continued opportunities for the growth and development of our doulas that enable and encourage their investment in themselves, as well as building high standards of practice in the field. As such, our certification is a designation that the individuals and loved ones our doulas support can trust.
The first step is to take our INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training. If you have completed your end-of-life training with another organization, your first step would be to take our INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training Refresher.
We recommend up to six months of experience prior to application.
After completing the training, if you wish to pursue certification, you can submit your application.
To see an overview of the requirements and process for certification, please scroll up to read the section titled “Overview of INELDA’s End-Of-Life Doula Certification Requirements”.
No. There is no governing body that requires certification for end-of-life doulas. Certification is optional, however choosing to go through the process is an investment in your continued growth and development as a doula.
A $75 fee is required to submit your application and first case packet, and an additional $255 ($225 for Tier 2 & 3 members) prior to submitting case packets 2 through 5.
Yes. For details, click here.
Yes, recertification is required every 3 years. For recertification, 36 hours of end-of-life care-related activities are required over a three-year period. These activities fall into four categories; Receiving Education, Providing Education, Contributing to the Field, and Direct Service. [Download PDF here]
The cases you choose for your certification need to occur after completing an INELDA End-of-Life Doula Training course. You will be evaluated on understanding class material and how well you apply the skills and tools you learned. Previous experience is taken into consideration when determining the number of cases and hours.
We recommend that you start out volunteering at a local hospice where you can work with terminal patients and their loved ones. Hospitals and long-term care facilities may also be an option in some places, but typically volunteers in those settings don’t get as much opportunity to work closely with dying patients. Your work as a private doula practice or as a member of a collaborative is applicable.
We allow for one case to be submitted that documents work with a family member. It is important for doulas to maintain an emotional boundary between themselves and the people they serve. While doulas should be compassionate and loving toward the people they work with, overly close or complicated emotional connections can make it harder to maintain the objectivity and impartial presence that is a hallmark of the end-of-life-doula role. If you have questions about the appropriateness of a case, please email: [email protected]
No. If you are a professional working with the dying in the end-of-life field, you will need to choose cases where you can work with the individual and/or their loved ones exclusively in the role of end-of-life doula. If you have questions about this, or to inquire about your particular situation, please email: [email protected]
No. You might work with one client on legacy work, another doing vigil work, or just work with the loved ones as they begin grieving after their loved one’s death. Of course, if you do get to work on a case through planning, meaning work, a legacy project, the vigil, and grieving afterwards, you will get a much richer understanding of how the entire end-of-life doula process plays out across a whole case.
We know that in working with an individual across all three phases, you may put in many more than the maximum 12 hours allotted per case. The extra time you spend, even though it doesn’t count towards your 40 total hours, will certainly be worth it and benefit your learning in immeasurable ways.