South Florida Death/End of Life Doula Specialist Program
If you’re ready to answer your calling and become an End of Life Doula, the International Doula Life Movement’s Death/End of Life Doula Specialist Certification program is for you.
This course will take place every OTHER Saturday from 8/29/2026 through 11/7/2026 from 10am-4pm, at MorseLife Hospice in West Palm Beach, 4847 Fred Gladstone Dr Floor 2, West Palm Beach, FL 33417. In addition to in-person learning, students will complete online assignments and projects to facilitate deeper understanding of the subject matter. Students will leave this course with a strong foundation in all aspects of doula care, with a growing community of friends and others who are walking the same road.
We are proud to partner with MorseLife Hospice to provide this in-person End-of-Life Doula Certification course. MorseLife Hospice is a respected nonprofit serving Palm Beach County, known for its personalized and holistic approach to end-of-life care. Their team supports patients and families through expert hospice care as well as integrated therapies such as music, massage, art therapy, spiritual care, and bereavement support. As part of the larger MorseLife Health System, they are deeply committed to dignity, compassion, and whole-person care—making them a beautiful partner for the work of end-of-life doulas.
Continue reading to see what is included and all the FREE support and training IDLM gives our community.
$999
$171.5 / 6 monthly
Overview
At IDLM, we prioritize thorough learning and equipping our students with the necessary skills to become professional doulas in their respective communities. Our program caters to those who wish to assist their loved ones or pursue a career as a doula, and we provide support not only during the course but also after. As a part of our doula community, you will forge meaningful connections and receive the assistance you require to be a successful doula in your community.
The live Death/End of Life Doula Specialist Certification program will walk you through what you need to know in order to become a doula from a practicing standpoint and introduce you to ways to run a business and get your first clients. At IDLM, becoming a specialist as a Death/end of life doula involves training in various areas such as companion doula, contemplative doula, life planning, and end-of-life doula.
IDLM requires graduates to complete 12 credits a year and renew certification every 2 years. IDLM provides free continuing education. At this time we do not offer continuing education credits for any other professional licensing. Continuing education credits are given free of charge to IDLM students and graduates.
We ask students to purchase the Barbara Karnes End of Life Guidelines Series books and Always Offer, Never Force book by visiting Bk Books. Please put in the order form that you are a IDLM Student.
We also ask that you purchase a book from The Hospice Care Plan by Odonata Care. Please email us at DoulaSupport@InternationalDoulaLifeMovement.com for a special discount code.
Also Included:
All students receive access to our Signature Business 101 Program which includes 7 modules, workbooks, and 1:1 support. This is self-paced so that you can start anytime and we offer the program live several times throughout the year, which is FREE for you to attend—a $400 Value.
- Join Our Directory For FREE!
- Discounts on Future Education Programs.
- Continuing Support to our Graduates (1:1 if needed).
- Free monthly Grief Support.
- Free monthly Death Positive Talk.
- International Doula Life Movement Family Events.
- IDLM Book Society.
- Open office hours to receive to ask questions and receive support.
Free access to our student and graduate community platform. Free to you!
- Access to our community platform.
- Member-driven support. You can connect with fellow students on a more intimate level.
- More safety. This is a private community and offers greater privacy than social media.
- More flexibility. You can access the platform via desktop or through an app!
- Monthly themes & weekly prompts. This will offer you ongoing growth and insight.
- Workshops & webinars.
- Continuing education nights, special events, and more became easier to keep track of and access replays!
- Free Resource Library.
- Free IDLM Doula Mentors Group. Have all the support you need to launch and support you as you run your doula practice.
Topics Covered:
- LifeBooks Introduction and Setup
- History of Deathcare and End of Life Doulas
- A Doula’s Guide to Personal Safety and Boundaries
- Code of Ethics/Scope of Practice
- Taming Our Inner Grief Ghost
- Welcome to IDLM: Orientation & Community
- Doula 101
- Doula 102
- 101 Basic Communication
- Insurance & EOL: What Doulas Need Should Know
- Inclusivity Practices: LGBTQ+
- Doula Apprenticeship 1
- Contemplative Doula
- Contemplative Exercise and Care for the Doula and Caregiver
- Getting in Touch with Your Own Mortality
- Holding End-of-Life/Death Discussions
- The EOL and The Death Deck with the Creators
- A Seat at the Table: Talking About Death & Dying
- Pre-Course Work for Stages of End of Life
- Introduction to Stages of End of Life
- This How People Die by Barbara Karnes
- The Hospice Care Plan by Odonata Care
- Navigating Difficulties in the Dying Process
- A Doula’s Role in Unfinished Business: Supporting Resolution and Peace at the End of Life
- Doula Apprenticeship 2
- Obituary and Eulogy / Hospital and Vigil Planning/ Medical Aid & Dying/VSED
- Coping with Grief and Loss For Doulas
- Common Disease & Infection Control/PPE
- Pedi Hospice and Parents Loss
- Client Care, Safety, & Bedside Support
- Companion Doula/Communication/Tele-Doula
- Doula Paperwork, Agreements, & Forms
- Doulado & IDLM: Streamlining Your Doula Practice
- Doula Apprenticeship 3
- Life Planning Doula/ EOL Paperwork/Planning
- Home Wakes, Cremation, Funerals, Green Options, Celebrations, and Ceremonies
- IDLM Case Study Planning
- Caring for Clients and Their Pets at End of Life
- Making Memories, Legacy
- EOL Religions
- Presenting to Your Community and Hospice
- In-Class Case Study Presentations
- Doula Apprenticeship/Skills Final
- I am a Doula Practitioner
Lara Acemyan
Known for her calming presence and intuitive approach, Lara supports individuals through end-of-life planning, bedside vigils, legacy projects, grief support, and family communication. She works alongside hospice as an added layer of emotional, spiritual, and practical support, helping families feel less alone during life’s most tender moments.
Her holistic care also includes Reiki, sacred anointing with essential oils, breathwork, mindfulness practices, and meaningful rituals that create peace, comfort, and connection during the dying process.
In addition to her private practice, Lara provides educational presentations for hospice teams, chaplains, social workers, and elderly communities, helping bring greater awareness to the role of end-of-life doulas and the importance of conscious end-of-life care. Her teaching is rooted in lived experience, compassion, and a deep understanding of what families truly need during end-of-life care.
Lara is a Board Member of the Florida End-of-Life Doula Alliance and a member of NEDA and the Death Doula Collective. Her work is rooted in the belief that no one should age, grieve, or die without tenderness, dignity, and compassionate support.
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Why IDLM?
Continued education
Monthly at no cost to our students. Keeping you updated on industry advances and tools to enhance your practice.
The Movement
You found your doula family. Our family community for ongoing support on a daily basis.
Instructors
Who are actively practicing their specialty/services daily.
