Overview
Show up authentically and run your practice with confidence
Many End-of-Life Doulas struggle to attract clients. Not because they lack the skills, but because talking about those skills (or setting up the systems to support them) can feel uncomfortable.
Business tasks like marketing can feel awkward, inauthentic, or overwhelming, especially in a profession rooted in compassion and individualized care. For many doulas, the discomfort isn’t just about strategy—it’s also about visibility. Putting yourself out there can bring up self-doubt or imposter syndrome. Yet if people can’t find you, they can’t benefit from the support you offer.
This course is designed to help you move past that discomfort—and build a solid business foundation that reflects your values and strengths. You’ll get practical tools and thoughtful exercises to help you clarify your vision, organize your services, set your pricing, and navigate the logistics of running a private practice.
Whether you’re just starting out or trying to bring structure to your End-of-Life Doula work, this course meets you where you are and helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.
This program was created in direct response to what UVM’s 4,000+ End-of-Life Doula training programs alumni have consistently asked for: business guidance to complement their death doula training to help them build a meaningful, sustainable practice.
Graduates of this program will:
- Define their business vision and direction
- Refine their service offerings and identify their ideal clients
- Create fee structures, packages, and a plan for their service area
- Build a foundational operating plan including business structure, finances, and insurance
- Set up systems and technology to streamline their work while keeping operating expenses in check
- Craft a brand identity and marketing strategy that feels authentic
- Develop a personalized plan for long-term growth, networking, and continued learning
“The business side of doula work isn’t separate from the care—it’s how we make the care sustainable. I’ve seen too many gifted doulas burn out or walk away because they lacked the confidence and structure needed to scale their business. I teach this course to help them stay in it—fully and authentically.”
—Sarah Hill, Instructor
What sets UVM apart
Supportive Community
Join a network of practicing doulas through an alumni Facebook group, book clubs, networking events, annual retreats, and quarterly newsletters.
Credibility Through UVM
The first End-of-Life Doula program influenced by UVM’s Robert Larner College of Medicine faculty. Our program produces graduates recognized for their expertise and trusted by families seeking compassionate care.
Instructors with Real-World Business Experience
Learn from an instructor who blends years of doula practice with a background in business consulting. You’ll get practical guidance on everything from client communications to operations and business growth strategy.
Continuously Evolving Curriculum
Our program expands with each session, adding new resources and materials based on student feedback to meet the evolving needs and interests of our community.
Personal and Professional Growth
This course isn’t just about business mechanics—it’s a structured space for reflection, helping you identify your strengths, clarify your goals, and step into your work with greater confidence and authenticity.
Extensive Professional Network
UVM End-of-Life Doula alumni are affiliated with the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UVM, opening doors to additional learning and networking opportunities. When alumni join the Osher Directory, they gain broader visibility and connection within the integrative health community.
Join a Trusted Leader in End-of-Life Doula Training
- 4,000+ End-of-Life Doulas This course is part of UVM’s recognized death doula training and grief and bereavement offerings. Thousands of professionals have trusted UVM to guide their journey in providing compassionate end-of-life care.
- A Pioneer in Doula Education UVM has set the standard for excellence in end-of-life doula education with programs that consistently fill to capacity.
- One of the Few Doula Business Trainings This program addresses a vital gap in death doula training by focusing specifically on the business and entrepreneurial skills needed.
“If we are trying to put ourselves out into the world with artifice…or as something we’re not…there’s going to be dissonance. What we’re looking for is resonance. That’s how you grow a business—by showing up as who you truly are.”
—Sarah Hill, Instructor
Admissions
Who should register?
This course is designed for trained End-of-Life Doulas and care professionals who want to establish or grow a sustainable private practice. It is especially well-suited for those who feel confident in their care skills but need guidance in creating the supportive business structure that enables their success. This includes professionals such as:
- End-of-life doulas
- Hospice and palliative care staff
- Home funeral providers
- Bodyworkers (Reiki, massage, etc.)
- Alternative care practitioners (yoga therapists, music therapists, acupuncturists, etc.)
- Social workers, chaplains, and grief counselors
Develop the confidence, clarity, and tools to run a successful doula practice.
“I had questions like ‘What if I don’t know what to do?’ But I showed up with an open heart and an intention to be of service… Within two minutes, I knew I could support my first client on her journey. That’s how it starts—one client at a time.”
—Sarah Hill, Instructor
End-of-Life Doula Business Foundations Information Session
For anyone who missed the virtual info session, the recording is available to watch below. Featuring the program instructor, Sarah Hill, it provides an overview of the curriculum, highlights key benefits of the certificate program, and offers insights into how it can enhance your career.
Curriculum
Build your doula business step-by-step with guidance that fits your values
This course walks you through the core components of running a doula business—from refining your service model to handling operations, finances, and long-term planning.
You’ll connect your existing skills with the key considerations and decisions doulas need to make to run a sustainable, values-based practice.
Whether you’re offering doula work full-time, part-time, or alongside other care services, you’ll learn how to shape your business around your goals and build systems that support it.
“What we’re doing is helping you tell your story in a way that resonates. You’re not pushing anything—you’re making it possible for the right people to find you.”
—Sarah Hill, Instructor
Course modules will guide you through:
- Clarifying your business vision and beginning to map your doula business plan
- Creating aligned pricing, packages, and client policies
- Considerations for setting up your operations (recommended structure, systems, and financial tools) to help you make informed decisions and take the next steps
- Communicating your value through branding and authentic marketing
- Planning for professional growth, community connections, and ongoing learning
You’ll finish the course with a clear path forward and the confidence to take your next steps.
Career Outlook
Shape your own path in the growing field of end-of-life care
As the Baby Boomer generation ages, the demand for compassionate, values-aligned end-of-life care is rising sharply. Families are seeking more holistic support, and doulas are increasingly recognized as an essential part of that experience.
National End-of-Life Doula Alliance membership has increased sixfold in the past five years, and the U.S. doula care service market is projected to nearly double by 2033.
While core doula training teaches you how to serve, this course helps you turn that calling into a sustainable business.
Whether you’re trying to understand how to start a death doula business or expand your existing services, you’ll walk away with a clear framework for growth.
Examples of business paths this course supports:
- Independent End-of-Life Doula practice
- Doula-informed services for care professionals
- Grief and support services offered privately
- Structured offerings from home funeral guides or educators
“You can extrapolate based on the career experience you bring to the table already…What transferable skills do I have? Which of my natural skills and talents lend themselves to the work of the doula?”
—Sarah Hill, Instructor
FAQ
Most doula business trainings are self-paced and offer only a surface-level overview of topics like pricing and marketing. This course goes deeper. You’ll move through eight weeks of guided content with instructor support, peer connection, and practical tools you can apply immediately.
In addition to covering marketing and communication, this course helps you build a full business foundation—including systems, financial planning, client management, and long-term growth strategy. You’ll also earn a certificate and digital badge from a trusted university to validate your learning and build credibility.
Learn about options for discounts, grants, loans, scholarships, and more on our tuition and financial aid page.
Yes, students will need to purchase The Doula Toolkit by Diane Button, Angela Shook, and Gabrielle Elise Jimenez. Copies of this book can be purchased online or at your local bookstore.
No. Non-credit courses do not currently qualify for tuition remission.
No, we do not have payment plans, you must pay in full by credit card when you register.
If a student needs to cancel their attendance, they must notify us via email at learn@uvm.edu or call us at (802) 656-2085 at least 10 business days prior to the start date of the course to receive a 75% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline.
The course is eight weeks long. There are eight main modules, each spanning one week. Each module starts on Mondays at 9:00 AM ET and ends on Sundays at 11:59 PM ET. To better accommodate students’ work and life schedules, we provide early access to each module on the Friday before the module starts.
Each module, you will be expected to post to the discussion board(s) by Friday and/or Sunday, to complete a short quiz by Sunday, and to complete the corresponding assignment by Sunday.
We estimate that you will dedicate 11 hours per week for course work, including readings, videos, and related activities (discussions, assignments, and quizzes).
Join us for a virtual info session on August 26th, 6:00-6:30 pm ET to learn more about the EOLD Business Foundations Professional Certificate program at the University of Vermont.
This live, interactive 30-minute session will provide an overview of the curriculum, highlight key benefits of the certificate program, and offer insights into how it can enhance your career. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the program instructor.
Don’t miss this chance to build a solid business foundation that reflects you and your strengths. Register here to receive the zoom link!
Advising and Student Support
You have the goal; we’ll help you achieve it
We are dedicated to helping you access UVM. It is our role to get to know your experience and goals, assist you in choosing courses, guide you through registration, and serve as your resource throughout your time at UVM.
Curious if your past college credits apply at UVM? Want to understand where a program will take you after completion? Looking for resources for financial aid, tutors, or UVM policies? We’re here to help.
