New Training: Sacred Death Doula

Written By Justin Schnettler

A space to deepen your understanding, reflect on your role, and step into end-of-life work with intention and care

By: Jen Willoughby, BWDC Founder & OTRL

A Beginning Rooted in Presence and Intention

There are moments in this work where something begins to take shape — a quiet awareness, a sense of being called, or a recognition that you are ready to move more deeply into supporting others at the end of life.

The Sacred Death Doula Training offered through Blue Water Doula Collective has been created as a space to support that beginning. This is not only a course of study, but an invitation into reflection, awareness, and becoming.

What This Training Offers

The training begins with a series of guided modules designed to prepare you for the work ahead — offering foundational knowledge while also creating space for personal reflection.

As you move through the material, you are invited to go at a pace that feels supportive, allowing time for integration as well as learning.

This work is both educational and deeply personal.

You may find that questions, insights, or emotions arise as you engage with the content. This is not separate from the learning — it is part of it.

The modules are designed to support:

  • a deeper understanding of end-of-life care

  • reflection on your role as a doula

  • awareness of how you want to show up in this work

  • preparation for a more immersive, in-person experience

There are 5 modules:

    • Lesson 1: The Doula Model of Care

    • Lesson 2: Scope of Practice

    • Lesson 3: Code of Ethics

    • Lesson 1: Active Listening and Presence

    • Lesson 2: Scope of Practice

    • Lesson 3: Code of Ethics

    • Lesson 1: HIPPA Basics and Confidentiality

    • Lesson 2: Liability Protection & Contracts

    • Lesson 3: Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs)

    • Lesson 4: Legal Considerations for Unattended Death in Michigan

    • Lesson 1: The Natural Death Process & Signs of Active Dying

    • Lesson 2: Care Settings (Home, Hospice, SNF, Hospital)

    • Lesson 3: Palliative and Hospice Care

    • Lesson 4: VSED and Medical Aid in Dying

    • Lesson 1: Care Plans, Priorities, and Decision-Making

    • Lesson 2: Recognizing Caregiver Burnout

    • Lesson 3: Emotional Regulaltion & Boundaries

    • Lesson 4: Ethical Dilemmas and Referral Protocols

Begin the Training

You can begin the Sacred Death Doula Training through the Blue Water Doula Collective coursework platform:

Begin the Sacred Death Doula Training →

Justin Schnettler http://www.businesssoil.com