We believe that every person deserves to walk the final journey — and to accompany a loved one on theirs — with dignity, warmth, and someone present alongside them.
EDDA — Estonian Death Doula Association — is a professional association of end-of-life doulas founded in Estonia. We bring together practitioners who accompany people and their families through the process of dying, loss, and grief. Our work is to ensure that no one has to face this alone.
Why We Exist
Death is part of life. Yet in the modern world it has become increasingly hidden — moved into hospitals, surrounded by silence, stripped of the space for conversation and presence. Families encounter the dying of a loved one in bewilderment. Dying people are often left alone with their fears. And those who want to help do not know how.
EDDA was founded on a conviction: dying is not only a medical process. It is a profoundly human experience that calls for human presence. And professionals trained in that presence are needed — in Estonia, in the Russian-speaking community, and beyond.
Our Mission
The mission of EDDA is to develop a culture of compassionate accompaniment at the end of life: through the training of doulas, the support of practising specialists, and the education of the wider public.
We want conversation about death to become possible. We want people to have a choice — in how they die, how they grieve, how they say goodbye. And we want there always to be someone nearby who knows how to be present.
What EDDA Does
Training End-of-Life Doulas
EDDA offers professional training courses for those who wish to become end-of-life doulas. The curriculum combines psychological depth, applied skills, and ethical preparation. Graduates receive an EDDA certificate and join a professional community.
Supporting Practising Specialists
Working alongside death and grief requires inner resources. The association provides its members with regular intervision sessions, individual supervisions, and professional support — so that doulas can work sustainably and avoid burnout.
Education and Open Conversation
We believe that talking about death matters, and that it is possible. EDDA publishes materials, organises events, and takes part in public dialogue about end of life, grief, and the dignity of dying. Our aim is to make this subject less frightening and more accessible to everyone.
Connection with Families and the Community
We help people find a doula — in a difficult moment, or in advance. The association is a point of entry for those seeking support: a family with a seriously ill loved one, a person moving through loss, or someone who simply wants to talk about the end of life.
Who We Are
EDDA was founded by practising specialists — death doulas, psychologists, and specialists in the field of ritual support — who came together around a shared value: every person deserves dignified accompaniment at the end of life.
The association works in Russian, Estonian, and English — because we believe that a language barrier should never be a barrier to support.
Connect and Reach Out
If you are looking for support for yourself or a loved one — we are here.
If you wish to become an end-of-life doula — we are ready to train you.
If you are a practising professional and wish to become part of a professional community — the doors of EDDA are open.
We do not turn away from the subject of death. We move toward it.