Death Doula Training Program & Apprenticeship
A Three-Part Journey of Learning, Healing, and Direct End-of-Life Service
Course is now full*
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Reclaim the Sacred Role of the Death Doula
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At the Center for Conscious Living & Dying (CCLD), we believe that caring for one another in our final days is an intrinsic part of our humanity. Our Death Doula Training Program invites you to remember a tradition so old, it feels refreshingly new—companioning the dying and embracing death as a teacher of life.
This program supports you in developing a loving, embodied presence—not just at the bedside, but in every moment of life’s impermanence. You’ll learn to serve others in their dying season while also awakening to a more conscious way of living yourself.
What You'll Learn
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This immersive program provides spiritual and practical training in:
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End-of-life support and ritual care
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Grief-tending and after-death practices
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Conscious dying and communal caregiving
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Presence, self-awareness, and emotional resilience​
Program Format
Our program is a three-part hybrid experience:
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Online Learning (8 weeks)
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In-Person Retreat (3 days)
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Apprenticeship at CCLD (5 days)
Program Components
Live Online Course
July 28 – September 22, 2025
Each week includes a live 2-hour Zoom session, written materials, videos, and reflection practices. You’ll explore topics like grief, bedside presence, sacred silence, and more. These are held on Monday evenings from 5-7 pm EST. We ask for consistent commitment to attending live, and if you have to miss a call or two you can watch the recordings.
This phase emphasizes personal transformation—because who you are at the bedside matters as much as what you do.
In-Person Retreat Weekend
September 26–28, 2025
Held at CCLD’s Sanctuary Campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
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Contemplative and experiential practices
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End-of-life simulations and grief rituals
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Immersion in community-supported dying care
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Access to the Sanctuary, Labyrinth, Ceremonial Grounds & Grandmother Oak
Five-Day Apprenticeship at the Bedside
Serve as a bedside apprentice to residents at the Sanctuary.
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Learn directly from mentors and trained volunteers
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Participate in ritual bathing, anointing, and presence at the last breath
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Join daily integration circles to process and reflect
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Choose your apprenticeship week:
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Group 1: Sept 29 – Oct 3 ** PLEASE NOTE GROUP 1 IS NOW FULL - to register for the program you will need to join Group 2
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Group 2: Oct 6 – 10
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Every apprenticeship week is different—reflecting the ever-changing rhythms of life, death, and care.
- Hannah Fowler, Director of Education
Course Schedule Overview
Dates
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July 28 – September 22, 2025
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September 26 – 28, 2025
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Sept 29 – Oct 10 (choose group)
Phase​
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Online Course
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Retreat Weekend
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Apprenticeship Weeks
Tuition: $2,995
​Includes all coursework, retreat programming, and mentorship.
Note: Housing, travel, and meals outside of the catered retreat are not included.
Why CCLD?
CCLD is a nonprofit providing free care to dying residents. Tuition from this training sustains that mission—allowing us to support more people at the end of life and inspire this model across communities.
Testimonials
“The apprenticeship was pivotal. I didn’t just learn—I transformed. This program taught me how to truly be with death.”
— Graduate, 2024 Cohort
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“From the first Zoom to the final integration circle, I felt more alive than ever before. CCLD's model changed how I live my everyday life.”
— Graduate, 2023
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“This is the most powerful community I’ve ever experienced. You can feel it in every breath, every space, every soul on that campus.”
— Graduate, 2024
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“The depth of care and safety with which the facilitators held us from the beginning to the end of this experience was unparalleled. This program deeply touched my heart and delivered the priceless, precious gift of transformation. Having witnessed the breadth of intentionality, loving care, and presence while onsite at CCLD has left me with a deeply meaningful imprint of hope and inspiration forever stamped upon my heart." — Graduate, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in the $2,995 tuition?
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8-week online course
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3-day in-person retreat (includes 3 catered meals
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5-day apprenticeship onsite
(Housing and transportation are not included.)
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Do you offer a Payment Plan?
We offer a 4-Month Payment Plan: $3015 ($2995 + $20 admin fee) = $753.75/month (collected 4 consecutive months) upon registration.
Are scholarships available?
We offer two full scholarships and two half-tuition scholarships per cohort. You may apply for the scholarship HERE. The application deadline is Sunday, May 18th. Applicants will be notified as to whether or not they received a scholarship the last week of May. If you were not able to apply in time, we encourage you to try again in 2026.
Where can I stay during the retreat and apprenticeship?
Three on-campus rooms are available for rent
Reserved local Airbnbs hosted by volunteers
Limited volunteer housing available at low/no cost
Hotels and other Airbnbs nearby
You’ll receive a housing guide after registration.
What are the participation requirements?
To receive a certificate of completion:
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Attend or make up all online sessions
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Participate in the retreat and apprenticeship
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Engage with course content on our Sutra learning platform
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Create a focused study container and show up with presence
Is this course only for aspiring doulas?
No. This course is for anyone who wishes to reclaim death as a part of life, deepen their presence, and live more fully.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. While end-of-life doula work is not currently accredited by a governing body, CCLD is internationally recognized as a leader in conscious end-of-life care.