Death Doula

Also called: End-of-Life Doula

Supports dying people and their families emotionally and practically in their final weeks.

A day in the life

Death doulas sit with the dying, help them plan legacy projects or vigils, give families breaks, and guide them through the first hours after death.

Pay over a career

Starting
$15k
Typical
$35k
High
$70k

Mostly part-time or private-pay work.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Certificate, about 0 years after high school. Short certification programs (e.g., INELDA); no license required.

Ways in: Certification, Self-taught. Training cost: Under $15k.

Majors to look at: Psychology, Nursing, Social Work.

Outlook

Growing faster than average. Growing interest in end-of-life care.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Companionship, vigils and family support in the last weeks are deeply human; AI only helps with planning.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Psychology, Health, Sociology, Creative writing.

More Death, Grief & the Rituals of Goodbye careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.