Death Doula Core Curriculum Training Course
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Death Doula Training Course Notesheets
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Module 1: Scope of Practice for a Death Doula

Death Doula Scope of Practice
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Scope of Practice
Module Outline PDF: Scope of Practice
Module 2: 10 Key Learning Essentials for Death Doulas

10 Key Essentials for Death Doulas
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: 10 Key Learning Essentials
Module Outline PDF: 10 Key Learning Essentials
Module 3: Communication and Active Listening

Facilitating Emotional Expression
Building Trust and Rapport
Addressing Practical and Spiritual Needs
Empowering Decision Making
Providing Emotional Support
Navigating Family Dynamics
3 Effective Methods to Ensure Open and Meaningful Interactions
3 Thoughtful Questions for Meaningful Conversations
9 Effective Ways to Communicate with Loved Ones
15 Questions to Facilitate Family Conversations
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Communication & Active Listening
Module Outline PDF: Communication and Active Listening
Module 4.1: Common Needs of the Dying - Physical Support

Lesson Supplements 4.1
Exploring Common Needs of the Dying
Physical Comfort
Emotional Support
Communication and Information
Sense of Dignity and Respect
Spiritual and Existential Support
Social Connection and Companionship
Practical Assistance
End-of-Life Planning
Physical Activity and Repositioning
Massage and Touch Therapies
Nutritional Support
10 Compassionate Questions to Ask
Quiz: Common Needs of the Dying - Physical Support
Module Outline PDF: Common Needs of the Dying
Module 4.2: Common Needs of the Dying - Emotional Support

Lesson Supplements 4.2
Emotional Support
Validation and Empathy
Emotional Processing
Reminiscence and Life Review
Resolving Conflicts and Facilitating Communication
Managing Personal Emotions
Emotional Resource Referrals
Supporting Family Members
10 Questions to Discover Emotional Needs of the Dying
Quiz: Common Needs of the Dying - Emotional Support
Module 4.3: Common Needs of the Dying - Ensuring Dignity & Respect

Lesson Supplements 4.3
Ensuring Dignity & Respect
Respectful and Non-Judgmental Presence
Honoring Autonomy and Choices
Preserving Privacy and Confidentiality
Empowering Decision Making
Facilitating Meaningful Rituals and Ceremonies
Acknowledging and Affirming Identity and Life Story
Assisting with Legacy Projects
10 Questions to Ask to Ensure Dignity is Being Maintained
Quiz: Common Needs of the Dying - Ensuring Dignity & Respect
Module 4.4: Common Needs of the Dying - Spiritual & Existential Support

Lesson Supplements 4.4
Spiritual & Existential Support
Creating a Sacred Space
Facilitating Spiritual Discussions
Connecting with Religious or Spiritual Resources
Offering Presence and Prayer
Supporting Ritual and Ceremony
Exploring Existential Questions
Providing Resources and Readings
Facilitating Forgiveness and Reconciliation
10 Questions to Help Assess an Individual's Spiritual Needs
Quiz: Common Needs of the Dying - Spiritual and Existential Support
Module 4.5: Common Needs of the Dying - Social Connection

Lesson Supplements 4.5
Social Connection
Emotional Presence
Engaging in Conversation
Facilitating Family and Friend Visits
Facilitating Virtual Connections
Coordinating Support from Volunteers or Companions
Creating a Social Support Network
Providing Respite for Family Caregivers
6 Questions and Compassionate Responses to Assess Social Connection Needs
5 Questions and Compassionate Responses to Discover Social Needs of Caregivers
Quiz: Common Needs of the Dying - Social Connection
Module Recap & Activity
Module 5.1: Cultural and Religious Sensitivity

Lesson Supplements 5.1
Education and Awareness
Respect for Diversity
Language and Terminology
Collaboration
Rituals and Practices
Flexibility and Adaptability
Resource Network
Self-Reflection & Growth
Quiz: Cultural and Religious Sensitivity
Module Outline PDF: Cultural and Religious Sensitivity
Module 5.2: Approaches to Diverse Cultures and Sensitivity

Lesson Supplements 5.2
Establishing Trust
Active Listening
Respectful Inquiry
Cultural Assessment
Dear Doula's Cultural Assessment PDF
Family and Community Involvement
Cultural or Religious Advisors
Documentation and Advanced Care Planning
Continuous Education
5 Questions to Inquire about Culture and Religion in a Respectful Manner
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Approaches to Diverse Cultures and Sensitivity
Module 6: End-of-Life Progression-Signs & Symptoms

End-of-Life Progression-Signs & Symptoms
One to Three Months Prior to Death
One to Two Weeks Prior to Death - Mental Changes
One to Two Weeks Prior to Death - Physical Changes
One to Two days, to Hours Before Death
Inability to Walk
Hours to Minutes Prior to Death
How to Respond as a Death Doula when Noticing these Signs
Phrases to Describe the Final Phase of Life
Quiz: End-of-Life Progression-Signs & Symptoms
Module Outline PDF: End-of-Life Progression-Signs & Symptoms
Module Recap & Activity
Module 7.1: Grief

Grief is an Energy
Emotional Support for Grief
Companionship and a Comforting Presence in Grief
Facilitating Meaningful Rituals and Practices
Quiz: Grief
Module 7.2: Connecting with Someone Grieving

Things to Say to Someone Grieving
Tangible or 'Concrete' Grief
Module 7.3: Understanding Anticipatory Grief

What is Anticipatory Grief?
Navigating Anticipatory Grief with Support
Quiz: Anticipatory Grief
Module 7.4: Bereavement

Understanding Bereavement
Acknowledging the Individual Bereavement Journey
Guiding Through the Bereavement Process
Physical and Cognitive Impacts of Bereavement
How to Effectively Communicate with the Bereaved
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Bereavement
Module Outline PDF: Grief and Bereavement
Module 8: Advance Care Planning

Understanding Advance Care Planning
Discussing Advance Care Planning
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order
Estate Planning Basics
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Estate Planning
Module Outline PDF: Advance Care Planning
Midcourse Checkpoint

Let Us Know How You're Doing
Module 9.1: Understanding Hospice Care

The Evolution of Hospice Care
Hospice Requirements & Funding
Quiz: Hospice Care
Module Outline PDF: Understanding Hospice & Palliative Care
Module 9.2: Understanding Palliative Care

What is Palliative Care
Requirements & Funding for Palliative Care
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Palliative Care
Module 10: Conscious Dying/VSED/MAiD

Understanding Conscious Dying
Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED)
Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Conscious Dying
Module Outline PDF: Conscious Dying/VSED/MAiD
Module 11: Advocacy for the Dying

The Need for Advocacy
Advocating Through Open Communication
Educate Yourself and Others
Advocacy Through Empowered Decision-Making
Collaborate with Healthcare Providers
Navigate the Healthcare System
Document and Share End-of-Life Wishes
Emotional and Practical Advocacy
Respect Privacy and Dignity
Resolving Conflicts and Ethical Dilemmas
Ensuring Autonomy and Dignity
Action Against Elder Abuse
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Advocacy for the Dying
Module Outline PDF: Advocacy for the Dying
Module 12: Active Dying (Attendance)

Active Dying (Attendance)
Active Dying Attendance - 10 Key Actions You Can Take
My Wishes Checklist PDF
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Active Dying Attendance
Module Outline PDF: Active Dying Attendance
Module 13: Practical-Navigation Aspects as a Death Doula

Practical Support - Action
Practical Support - Navigation
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Practical & Navigational Aspects of a Death Doula
Module Outline PDF: Practical & Navigational Aspects as a Death Doula
Module 14: Self-care as a Death Doula

Mental Health & Well Being
Necessity of Boundaries
Boundary Setting Scenarios
Module Recap & Activity
Quiz: Self-care as a Death Doula
Module Outline PDF: Self-care as a Death Doula
Module 15: The Demand for Death Doulas

Death Doula Origins and Need
Stats and Consequences of the Aging Population
Module Recap & Activity
Module Outline PDF: The Demand for Death Doulas
Module 16: Creating Your Death Doula Business

Crafting Your Business
Legal and Business Structure
Legal and Business Structure - FAQs PDF
Business Plan
Name and Branding
Services Offered
Client Consultation
Pricing and Payment
Marketing and Networking
Insurance and Liability
Record Keeping and Documentation
Continuous Education
Ethical Considerations
Scaling and Growth
Community Involvement
How Doulas Get Paid
Compassionate Planning
Module Recap & Activity
Module Outline PDF: Creating your Death Doula Business
Module 17: Marketing and Outreach Strategies

Creating an Online Presence
Networking
Key Community Outreach
Module Recap & Activity
Module Outline PDF: Marketing and Outreach Strategy
Module 18: What's Next?

Congratulations!
BONUS RESOURCES

Dying in America: Improving Quality and Honoring Individual Preferences Near the End of Life
A Conceptual Analysis of Spirituality at End of Life PDF
End-of-Life Care Glossary PDF

Module 5.2: Approaches to Diverse Cultures and Sensitivity

In this module, we highlight the importance of creating a comfortable environment for individuals to express their cultural and religious beliefs. Learn more about cultural and religious sensitivity during the end-of-life experience with these approaches...

13 Lessons