Death doula
Also called: End-of-life doula, Home funeral guide
A non-licensed support person who helps families through the end of life, the moment of death, and immediate aftercare — washing the body, holding a vigil, filing paperwork.
Death doulas are not regulated and not licensed. The field is similar to birth doulas: training programs exist, certifications exist, but there is no government license required to practice. Quality varies widely.
Typical 2026 fees: $500–$1,500 to walk a family through a home funeral end-to-end, $50–$150 per hour for shorter engagements such as planning conversations or hospice support.
Two national directories: the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (nedalliance.org) and the International End-of-Life Doula Association (inelda.org). The National Home Funeral Alliance (homefuneralalliance.org) maintains a separate list of home-funeral guides specifically focused on family-led care of the body.
This definition is general consumer information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Industry practices and regulations change occasionally; verify before relying on anything here for a specific decision.
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Call (555) 555-55559am–9pm ET, every day.
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