Emma Lewis Acker

The International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA), formed in 2015, is a member-based, non-profit working to meet the non-medical needs of the dying by raising awareness of the roles of end-of-life doulas and providing education to support compassionate deathcare. As of fall 2022, INELDA has trained over 5,000 doulas globally including staff at hospice organizations and medical care facilities. We are charged with our vision of ensuring that ‘all individuals have accessible, equitable, and compassionate deathcare that holistically affirms one’s humanity and supports end-of-life choices.’ These tenets guide our work and daily decision making. We acknowledge people die everywhere and end-of-life doulas can play a vital role for the dying individual. INELDA is committed to supporting doulas in residential homes, hospices, for those incarcerated, in centers for the unhoused, and on city streets. In order to meet the increasing needs and demands on our deathcare system, INELDA offers End-of-Life Doula Training for individuals around the world, Care Provider Doula training for facilities, and Caregiver Support Training for those seeking to support loved ones. INELDA assists hospices, palliative care services, hospitals, assisted living and long-term care facilities, as well as communities in establishing end-of-life doula programs to serve their populations. We offer customized training services by providing programs based on the unique aspects and resources of each organization or community. With our mission to ‘Encourage the presence of end-of-life doulas by normalizing death, dying, and grief through conscientious education, and stewardship, and by fostering community and advocacy.’ INELDA has taken steps to support those who traditionally may not have access to compassionate support at the end of life.