The Doula’s Path: The Art of Support at the End of Life
(The Mastery of Presence)
There are moments when what is needed most is a person who knows how to simply be present — and who can hold any grief.
End-of-life doulas do not heal or rescue — they accompany. They help preserve dignity, reduce anxiety, and create a space where the most important things can be spoken aloud.
This course is a comprehensive training programme for end-of-life doulas (death doula, end-of-life doula). It is designed for those who wish to offer non-medical, emotional, and spiritual support to individuals and their families in the final stages of life and across the different phases of grief. The course grew out of practical experience in accompaniment and crisis support. It brings together psychological depth, applied skills, and ethical clarity — everything a practitioner needs to work confidently and compassionately alongside the themes of dying and loss.
End-of-life doulas help people and their loved ones move through the process of dying and grieving with respect, attention, and care, creating a space of understanding, presence, and connection.
During the course, you will:
- Understand the role of a doula and the ethical principles of her work;
- Learn to lead mindful conversations about meaning, fears, and wishes in the context of end of life;
- Master techniques of emotional support and presence during the dying process;
- Learn to help families navigate emotions, conflicts, and loss;
- Strengthen the skills for safe and ethical professional practice;
- Gain methods for working with values and cultural traditions in the context of dying and death.
The course develops both psychological resilience and practical accompaniment skills, making it an indispensable part of the preparation for doulas working with people in the final stage of life.
Instructors:
Lena Laine, death doula, crisis and clinical psychologist.
Natalya Volkova, death doula, specialist in the field of ritual.
Practical Information
Course start: 6 April 2026
Format: 1 session per week. The day of sessions will be chosen based on participants’ preferences and convenience.
Duration: 9 weeks
Participation format:
- in-person (Tallinn, Pirita district)
- online (Zoom)
Tuition fees:
- “Early bird” price (payment before 15.03.2026) — €800
- Standard price — €900
Payment is available in three equal instalments:
- Place reservation before the course begins
- 6 April 2026
- 4 May 2026
Payment can be made from anywhere in our wonderful world, to a Russian or international account.
A certificate from the Estonian Death Doula Association is issued upon full payment and successful completion of all course modules.
Registration: Laine.lena@yahoo.com
Course Programme
Module 1: How to Talk About Death?
A gentle entry into the subject of death and difficult conversations. You will learn how to begin a dialogue, choose supportive language, and sense the other person’s boundaries.
Module 2: The Psychology and Philosophy of Death and Dying
Key psychological processes at the end of life, the fear of death, existential experiences, and different perspectives on dying.
Module 3: Working with Grief and Loss
A contemporary understanding of grieving, support during the acute period of loss, and common mistakes when communicating with those who grieve.
Module 4: The Doula’s Emotional Resilience
Prevention of burnout and secondary traumatisation, personal boundaries, and practices of self-regulation for practitioners.
Module 5: Palliative Care and Physical Death
A foundational understanding of the body’s dying process, signs of approaching death, and collaboration with the medical team.
Module 6: Ethics and Legal Aspects
Professional boundaries, confidentiality, informed consent, and key legal reference points.
Module 7: Communication with Families
The particularities of working with family members, difficult conversations, feelings of guilt, and supporting a family through the period of loss.
Module 8: Rituals and Traditions
The role of rituals in processing loss, cultural particularities, and the creation of personal farewell practices.
Module 9: Complex Cases
Analysis of challenging situations from practice: sudden deaths, family conflicts, intense emotional reactions.
This course is created for those who feel the importance of gentle presence alongside the themes of dying and loss.
What You Receive After the Course
Certificate from the Estonian Death Doula Association — official confirmation of your qualification as an end-of-life doula.
Association membership — the opportunity to join the Estonian Death Doula Association and become part of a professional community of people who share your values.
Association support — you are not left alone with your practice. The association accompanies you after the course: sharing resources, answering questions, and supporting your professional development.
Intervision sessions — complimentary participation in regular group meetings where practising doulas analyse real cases, share experience, and support one another.
Supervision — one individual supervision session per year, free of charge. An opportunity to work through a complex case or professional question in a safe space with an experienced practitioner.
The course will be especially valuable for:
- helping professionals (psychologists, social workers, nurses, caregivers)
- hospice and palliative care volunteers
- aspiring and newly qualified end-of-life doulas
- specialists in helping professions who encounter the theme of grief
- people accompanying seriously ill loved ones
- anyone who wishes to learn to speak about death calmly and professionally
Looking forward to meeting you on the course!