{"id":1009,"date":"2021-09-01T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homeincomeguides.com\/?p=1009"},"modified":"2021-08-17T00:59:12","modified_gmt":"2021-08-17T00:59:12","slug":"how-to-become-a-death-doula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homeincomeguides.com\/how-to-become-a-death-doula\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Death Doula"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Death doulas are people who provide emotional and physical support to someone going through the grieving process. This post will cover what a death doula is, what they do, and how you can become one.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What is a Death Doula?<\/h2>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

A death doula is someone who provides emotional and physical support to a dying woman, family members, and friends. They are typically trained professionals that provide expertise in preparing for the passing of a loved one. They are often sensitive to the needs of the person dying and understand the process through which they will be passing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Death doulas work to ensure that the dying person has the ability to make their own wishes known, and to provide comfort and emotional support to those close to them. They may be hired to provide bereavement counseling and support for a family who has lost someone. They may also be hired to be present during a person’s final moments, but that is not a requirement of the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doulas might also be asked to participate in funerals and memorial ceremonies. These events require special skills because they involve sensitive subjects such as religion or politics. If these topics come up while discussing arrangements with family members, the doula has to remain neutral so that no one feels offended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to supporting grieving families, doulas will also assist doctors and nurses in making sure patients’ wishes are carried out properly. When someone dies, physicians often feel obligated to perform certain tasks without consulting the patient’s next of kin. By speaking directly with the deceased person’s relatives, the death midwife can ensure that their end-of-life wishes are followed.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Requirements to Become a Death Doula<\/h2>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

A death doula may travel with the dying person or may be asked to be present at a hospital or hospice. They may also be hired to support a person with dementia or other cognitive disabilities, especially toward the end of their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are technically no formal requirements in order to become a death doula, though most people will feel more comfortable if you have gone through some training. The more skills and certification you have, the more clients you’ll be able to attract, allowing you to get to the point where you can work as much as your need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Certification allows you to use the title “death doula” when advertising your services. Additionally, it gives you credibility among other professionals who provide similar services. Some certifications you receive may include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Compassion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In order to be successful in this job, you need to have a big heart and a lot of compassion. Clients who are facing their death within hours are not always predictable and you need to keep a cool head to continually care for them. You will also need to be supportive toward their loved ones and consider their needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<\/li>\n\n

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    Open Mind and Understanding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When working in the death industry, you will likely form some opinions on how you want your own death to go as well as choosing your personal burial options. That being said, others may have different plans based on their own life experiences or family traditions. You need to have an open mind when dealing with your clients and accepting their choices without judgment. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<\/li>\n\n

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    Experience with Death<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Although we will all experience it someday, conversation about death is often taboo. The end-of-life process has often been removed from the home, turning it into a clinical thing that most of us would rather not think about. Doula training programs can only take you so far. If you have never been around a dead person, it is a good idea to find a way to gently expose yourself to it so that you know what to expect. This way, you don’t feel any added anxiety as your first client’s death approaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<\/li>\n\n

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    Resilient <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When giving care to patients, doulas can work for more than 12 hours at a time in a potentially emotionally intense situation. You will need to be able to stand up to both the mental and the physical demands of the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t<\/ol>\n\n\n

    How Much Do Death Doulas Earn?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A death doula\u2019s income varies widely based on their location, experience, and the services provided. Even within the same region, earnings can vary drastically due to the number of clients served and the scope of their work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As you will be working for yourself, you will be able to decide whether you want to charge a set fee or an hourly rate. Many end-of-life doulas earn between $25 – 100 an hour depending on their experience, their clients, and the location of their work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When deciding on what kind of rate you want to charge, consider the amount of experience you have and whether or not you offer discounts based on the length of service.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    The Process of Becoming a Death Doula<\/h2>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

    To become a death doula, you must first decide whether you want to pursue becoming a full-time death doula, or just part-time while working another profession. If you choose to go down the path of being a full-time death doula, then there are several steps involved:<\/p>\n\n\n

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      Step 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      First, you will need to take classes on topics such as grief, loss, communication, and caregiving. These courses will teach you everything from basic anatomy to advanced medical procedures. Some certification programs include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n