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Welcome to NEDA

The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance “NEDA” is a diverse and inclusive 501c6 non-profit membership business league that serves as a “big tent” for those who share its mission, vision, and values (see below); and who seek to learn about, promote, and provide educational and professional support for its members.
More specifically, its purpose is to:

• Inspire, inform, and assist aspiring and active end-of-life doulas (EOLDs), EOLD trainers, and others by developing and implementing programming, informational resources, networking opportunities, and other materials that help raise awareness and build skills necessary to be of best service to others, including, but not limited to our Website; newletters and other correspondence; directories; social media; experiences and events: webinars, book clubs, regional and topical groups, conferences, etc.; promotional tools such as presentations, press releases, rack cards, and posters; and proficiency assessment processes
• help individuals and organizations to gain knowledge, achieve practical skills, and further develop various attributes that achieve better end-of-life experiences for all those who are dying, their caregivers, and others involved
• ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) principles and values are considered in all that we do as an organization
• define roles and responsibilities, attributes, core competencies; set best practice standards and measures of excellence; and provide ethical and practical guidelines
• serve as a reliable, centralized source of information that illuminates how EOLDs can help prepare for and experience end of life
• build partnerships and collaborative alliances and programming with other EOL-care-focused organizations and experts in the field to create synergy and additional credibility and value
• explore and monitor issues that both enhance and challenge the effectiveness and success of the EOLD field of practice such as:
  • perception and understanding of the EOLD role in the larger field of EOL care
  • need (or not) for regulation, formal oversight, licensure, etc.
  • commodification, monetization, and commercialization issues
  • quality and continuity of care

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

NEDA is committed to building a diverse and inclusive membership organization where associated communities can benefit from end-of-life care that is equitable and just. We are positioned to increase awareness of systemic structures that perpetuate discriminatory and unjust practices that negatively impact the lives and deaths of all people. Our efforts are based on the premise that every human being—irrespective of, but not limited to their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other cultural attributes or identities—has a right to die with dignity, surrounded by love, compassion, and grace.

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Who We Are

The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) is a diverse and inclusive 501c6 non-profit membership organization that welcomes all end-of-life doula practitioners, trainers, and other interested parties, who share its mission, vision, and values, and seek to learn about, provide, and promote support from end-of-life doulas.
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Our Mission

NEDA's mission is to influence positive changes in how people experience end of life by developing and advocating efforts that improve access to a broad spectrum of holistsic, non-medical support provided by end-of-life doulas. Our goal is to elevate the role of end-of-life doulas into a position that is recognized, uderstood, utilized and well integrated into mainstream end-of-life care practices.
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End-of-Life Doula Definition

End-of-life doulas (EOLDs) provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort to people preparing for, or experiencing end of life by offering education and guidance; emotional, social, and spiritual care; logistical and practical assistance, and more--before during and after death. End-of-life doulas complement and supplement the work of family and other caregivers (including hospice providers).
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"How people die remains in the memory of those who live on."
​                 —Dr. Cicely Saunders

T E S T I M O N I A L S

"I joined NEDA to connect and learn from other doulas around the world.  I love the monthly NEDA member exclusive webinars, and I love that the back catalogue is available to all members.  I am grateful it has given me a sense of community where we can all share ideas and collaborate on new opportunities."
 - Sabrina Singh (End of Life Doula)

"In creating NEDA, Merilynne and Deanna do us all a great service:  the lines of communication have been opened wide, allowing us as Doulas to lend our compassionate support to each other, as well as to those who journey through death.  NEDA provides us with a marvelous opportunity to connect, co-create, and educate!" - Lisa Patterson (Coordinator, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital | Pain & Palliative Supportive Care Services and End-of-Life Doula)

"There are many ways to serve the dying. NEDA allows me to find my place and be part of an important movement. I love to help where I can and learn from others.” - Joseph Knight (former member of NEDA Board of Directors)

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