This sacred weekend retreat is for those called to walk alongside the dying and hold space for their loved ones. Together, we will:
✨ Explore ancient and modern models of end-of-life care
✨ Practice deep listening as a spiritual act
✨ Create rituals and ceremonies for release and remembrance
✨ Learn practical tools for supporting clients & families
✨ Cover NEDA-recognized core competency domains and common state-aligned end-of-life doula training standards
Your journey includes self-paced pre-work, a fully immersive weekend on the shores of Lake Huron, and integration practices afterward.
Stay in community — quad, triple, double, or single lodging
Nourishment provided — all meals included
Certification awarded upon completion
This is more than training — it's bigger than that.
This comprehensive training includes:
Pre-Work: Self-paced videos, readings & journaling (plan on 10-20 hours for completion and must be completed 1 week before the retreat)
Foundations of End-of-Life Doula Care
Communication & Family Systems
Professionalism & Legal Awareness
Technical Knowledge of Dying
Care Planning, Self-Care & Ethics
In-Person Training: 15 hours of interactive sessions
Opening Circle & Doula Model of Care
Communication & Advocacy at End of Life
Family dynamics, conflict, and saying goodbye
Ethics, boundaries, and scope of practice
The dying process & hospice context
Holding vigil and sacred presence
The Value of Advance care planning & paperwork
Legacy work and life review
Professional practice, contracts, and legal considerations
Anticipatory grief & bereavement support
Self-care, burnout prevention & sustainability
Community resources & interdisciplinary collaboration
Closing circle & certificate completion
Post-Work: Independent exercises
Create a resource guide for your community
Setting intentions
Optional: Online group reprocessing session via Zoom
Investment
Commuter Rate (Training, Day Pass + Meals): $825
Residential Rates (Training, Meals + Lodging): $950
(Scholarships and payment plans available.) Please contact us by email for payment plan options and scholarship opportunities at bluewaterdoulacollective@gmail.com
Registration: Please RSVP and indicate your preference: Commuter Rate or Residential (Quad, Triple, Double, or Single Room).
Additional Details
Attendance: Required at all in-person sessions
Meals Included:
Friday Dinner
Saturday Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Sunday Breakfast
Location: Beautiful, lakefront retreat setting for reflection & connection
Meet the Blue Water Doula Collective
The Blue Water Doula Collective is a heart-led circle of end-of-life practitioners dedicated to bringing compassion, presence, and sacred care to those at life’s threshold. Together, we hold space for education, healing, and community, empowering others to approach death with courage, grace, and love.
✨ Your Facilitators
Jen Willoughby, OTD, OTRL – A visionary guide of the Collective, Jen creates sacred and supportive spaces for learning and reflection. With a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, experience as a college professor, and training as a Reiki Master, she blends professional expertise with spiritual insight. Her work in spiritual care and community practice weaves education and ceremony into meaningful experiences. She helps participants explore presence, connection, and purpose in the dying process. Her approach supports transformation while honoring both personal and communal journeys.
Jacqueline Neis, RN – Known for her calm presence and attentive listening, Jacqueline is a hospice nurse and end-of-life doula. She integrates medical knowledge with compassionate guidance to support participants through life’s final stages. Her approach encourages connection with intuition and honoring the natural cycle of life. She empowers individuals and families to feel supported and confident in their care decisions. Jacqueline balances practical care with emotional and spiritual support.
Judy Haynes – A bright light and dementia specialist, Judy brings years of experience guiding families through grief and transition. She combines practical instruction with gentle ritual to create nurturing environments. Her work emphasizes honoring stories, memory, and personal journeys. Judy helps participants navigate life’s most challenging moments with support and presence. Her approach balances expertise with empathy, offering both guidance and reassurance.
Karen Gorski, RN – A hospice nurse, grave caretaker, and community wellness advocate, Karen empowers participants with tools for presence, care, and resilience. She integrates practical practices with hands-on teaching and compassionate guidance. Karen helps participants navigate end-of-life experiences with mindfulness and attention. Her work encourages reflection, preparation, and emotional support for both caregivers and families. She brings warmth, clarity, and dedication to every teaching opportunity.
*Schedule and facilitators are subject to change.
This sacred weekend retreat is for those called to walk alongside the dying and hold space for their loved ones. Together, we will:
Explore ancient and modern models of end-of-life care
Practice deep listening as a spiritual act
Create rituals and ceremonies for release and remembrance
Learn practical tools for supporting clients & families
Cover NEDA-recognized core competency domains and common state-aligned end-of-life doula training standards
-
Foundations of End-of-Life Doula Care
Communication & Family Systems
Professionalism & Legal Awareness
Technical Knowledge of Dying
Care Planning, Self-Care & Ethics
-
Opening Circle & Doula Model of Care
Communication & Advocacy at End of Life
Family dynamics, conflict, and saying goodbye
Ethics, boundaries, and scope of practice
The dying process & hospice context
Holding vigil and sacred presence
The Value of Advance care planning & paperwork
Legacy work and life review
Professional practice, contracts, and legal considerations
Anticipatory grief & bereavement support
Self-care, burnout prevention & sustainability
Community resources & interdisciplinary collaboration
Closing circle & certificate completion
-
Create a resource guide for your community
Setting intentions
Optional: Online group reprocessing session via Zoom