Frequently Asked Questions

As soon as you've made the decision to train as a Death Doula, it is worth registering for the Certificate Program regardless of when your weekend session takes place. The weekend training is just ONE part of our program.

Once you register, you can dive into the other components right away. These include online modules, assignments, and case studies that you can work through at your own pace. Starting these as soon as possible will give you a solid foundation and will get you that much closer to your certification. Many of our past participants found that starting the self-study components early made their weekend training more valuable.

You'll also get immediate access to our monthly learning events like Guest Speaker Nights, "What Would You Do?" Nights, and Case Study Nights, plus our virtual and in-person HHAngouts. These events are fantastic opportunities to learn, connect, and build your network within the HHA community, and are a huge benefit as you prepare to build your practice.

If you don’t live in the Eastern Time Zone, it’s still possible to train with us as all of our professional development training programs, including our Death Doula Certificate Program, are fully remote/online. However, for the live-online classes, you’ll probably want to consider the time difference before you register.

For our Death Doula Certificate Program, in-class sessions take place on Friday: 6pm-9pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm, Sunday: 9am-5pm –(Eastern Time) live-online. The rest of the program can be completed asynchronously.

There is currently no official designation for Death Doulas in Canada. While Death Doula trainings are not officially regulated, our certificate serves as a testament to your completion of our rigorous training program. And when it comes to working with Death Doulas to mobilize care through our community partnerships with other agencies, the HHA-issued certificate allows us to stand behind the demonstrated proficiency of practitioners who have successfully completed our Certificate Program.

Completing a certificate program means you have successfully met the learning requirements of a specific training curriculum, as assessed by the organization offering it. When you complete HHA’s Certificate Program it also means we stand behind you and often act as a reference to offer to your first clients.

“Certified” typically means you have met the standards of an external certifying body. In the emerging field of Death Doula work, there is currently no single governing body, so the credibility and recognition of your training depends on the reputation of the organization you train with.

While we can only really speak for our own training, it’s important to note that the quality of Death Doula training programs can – and does – vary significantly. It’s crucial to select a program that will adequately prepare you for the realities of caring for individuals at the end of life and their loved ones. This is not a role to take lightly, and it requires a strong foundation of knowledge, skills, and emotional preparation.

The best way to ensure you’re ready for this challenging career is to choose a comprehensive training that includes practical experience, mentorship, and a supportive community – all of which we provide at HHA. By investing in a training program like ours, you can ensure you’re equipped with the necessary skills and resources to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care with confidence and compassion.

Our Death Doula Certificate Program complements, rather than replicates, hospice-based volunteer or staff training. Hospice organization training is typically internally focused, preparing volunteers or clinical staff to serve within that specific organization, under its protocols, supervision, and setting.

In contrast, HHA’s Death Doula Certificate Program prepares learners to serve wherever end-of-life support is needed: in homes, hospitals, long-term care settings, shelters, or community environments that may not be connected to a formal hospice

We value and recognize the importance of hospice volunteer training as it demonstrates a shared commitment to compassionate end-of-life care. In some cases, prior hospice or palliative-care volunteer education may overlap with elements of our curriculum. Because the Death Doula Certificate Program goes beyond traditional hospice volunteer preparation emphasizing mentorship, independent practice, advocacy, and community mobilization most learners find that even with prior hospice experience, the program adds substantial new depth and professional scope to their practice.

Absolutely. The Death Doula Certificate Program was developed to serve learners and communities across all provinces and territories in Canada. Our curriculum is grounded in HHA’s nationally recognized framework the Four Domains of Care™ and focuses on universal, person-centred principles of companioning, advocacy, and community engagement that transcend geography. This process ensures that every graduate is both nationally competent and locally informed.

Many begin by offering pro bono service (what some might call volunteering) as a way to build experience, confidence, and a network in their community. We use the term “pro bono” because it reflects the professional value of your time and skills, even when offered without payment.

Some start their own business or work as independent contractors. Others partner with agencies or community programs, hospitals, shelters, group homes, or long-term care facilities.

Blending these approaches offering pro bono service while also building paid opportunities is a key to success.

Home Hospice Association actively works to open doors to partnership opportunities in the communities we serve, leveraging our reputation, network, and organizational resources to connect you where your skills are most needed.

Doula training enhances nursing practice by adding the human, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of end-of-life care that extend beyond clinical expertise. While nursing focuses on managing symptoms and maintaining comfort, doula training deepens a nurse’s ability to support the person and family through presence, communication, legacy, and meaning-making. It helps nurses approach dying not only as a medical event but as a profound life experience integrating compassion and conversation with the skills they already use every day.

After certification, Home Hospice Association offers opportunities for continued collaboration and shared growth. Doulas who are genuinely invested in serving their communities can engage in mentorship, join the national directory, and partner with HHA on community programs and outreach initiatives. These relationships work best as mutual investments. HHA provides connection and guidance, while doulas bring their skills, commitment, and local leadership to create meaningful impact together.

Home Hospice Association (HHA)’s training provides the professional foundation, credibility, and community connections that help you build a sustainable doula practice. You’ll gain the knowledge, tools, and ethical framework to offer compassionate end-of-life support, along with access to mentorship and networking opportunities that encourage collaboration and visibility. While HHA doesn’t create individual businesses, we equip doulas who are dedicated to community service with the structure, guidance, and partnerships needed to grow their own practice with confidence and integrity.