Our Mission Statement
NEDA's mission is to influence positive changes in how people experience end of life by developing and advocating numerous efforts that improve access to a broad spectrum of holistic non-medical support provided by end-of-life doulas (EOLDs). Our goal is to elevate the role of EOLDs to a position that is recognized, understood, utilized, and well-integrated into mainstream end-of-life care practices. 

Our Vision is to create a cultural shift ensuring that

• all people preparing for or experiencing end of life have access to high-quality, holistic, integrative, and ethical non-medical support in alignment with their own needs and desires
• "end-of-life doula" (EOLD) is understood to be a collective term that describes skilled, qualified, and capable providers who make themselves available to those who seek such support
• EOLDs hold an integral position in the mainstream end-of-life service model, worthy of recognition and compensation that is commensurate with their role
• all EOLDs have a strong foundation of requisite skills, knowledge, and awareness that brings value to those they serve
• NEDA is considered to be the primary resource for comprehensive and current information about EOLDs

​Our Values:

• We value EOL doulas who provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort to the dying person and their family, which may include education and guidance as well as emotional, spiritual or practical care.
• We value and respect the diverse voices and viewpoints of all doulas, trainers, and others whose practices honor the individual traditions, heritages, experiences and unique needs of the dying, and their loved ones.
• We value a cultural environment that encourages the potential for healing exchanges between doulas and the dying, the family, and the healthcare team as part of the life-death process.
• We embrace the Doula Model of Care that recognizes the need for ethical, compassionate care for all, and emphasizes empowering, non-judgmental support to maximize the self-determination of the individual and honor significant others and family as part of the circle of care.
• We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. To this end, we strive to create an environment that is welcoming to all, and where each person feels accepted, included, seen, heard, valued, and safe. We pledge ourselves to developing and maintaining an environment that recognizes, understands, and appreciates the impact of differences such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, education, age, sexual/affectional orientation, physical ability, language, political affiliation, economic status, immigrant/citizenship status, military experience, and legal position.

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