The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) is an alliance of determined, talented like-minded expert practitioners, trainers, and natural death care pioneers who hold the public interest as our highest priority. We are an inclusive and transparent network of doulas with diverse backgrounds, philosophies, and skill levels, and we come together to share our wisdom with each other and the individuals, families, communities, and caregivers we serve.
NEDA unites all those in the end-of-life (EOL) doula field, trainers and practitioners, to define and promote our role as caregivers, volunteers and professionals. The role of the doula is new and evolving. By communicating with each other, openly sharing information, developing tools, and sharing experiences and resources, we will make ourselves known as a resource of care for the dying, and their loved ones, and ensure they are able to transition peacefully .
We need your voice. As we empower each other, we empower others. Join our growing and dynamic network and help us spread the abundance of our efforts.
How Practitioners and The Dying Benefit
If we as doulas and trainers collaboratively define ourselves, discover our commonalities, and discuss our differences, we can promote the doula model of care to the public and other EOL caregivers.
NEDA has developed core competencies to inform doula training curricula and aids doulas in providing consistent and high-quality care. In addition, we have established a Scope of Practice and a Code of Ethics for ethical, professional EOL doula practice. We have also adopted a broad description of the Doula Model of Care as applied to end-of-life doulas, courtesy of Patty Brennan, author of The Doula Business Guide: How to Succeed as a Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula.
With 10,000 people turning 65 each day in the US, a growing number of older adults—as well as individuals with life-limiting illnesses—will require our services. Our primary task is to work diligently to raise public awareness about the excellent care we provide, ensuring that people understand their options and that everyone who wants a doula can access one.
To learn more about trainings, check out our Trainer Directory.