Austin Death Doula Training

November 2 from 10 - 5:30 pm CST

with Erin Merelli, co-founder of Deathwives

An immersive, 7.5-hour death doula training crafted
to provide you with the essential skills of a death doula.

Gather in sacred community near the lively streets of Austin, and spend 7.5 hours nurturing your death doula heart. Gain skills, gather knowledge, and leave ready to take your unique doulaship out into the world.

✶ $450 Investment ✶

✶ Limited to 28 students ✶

Enroll Now

Topics of Study

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Topics of Study ⁎

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The Phases of Doulaship:
Dive deep into the philosophy and the three critical roles you can embody as a doula: Legacy, 11th Hour, and Post-Mortem.
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Disposition Options, Industry, & The Environment:
Explore sustainable final disposition options, uncover the history and influence of the funeral industry, and discover alternatives to traditional practices.
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Grief & Mourning:
Understand ancestral grief, gain profound insights into grief and its impacts, explore grief management, and learn how to hold space for mourning and vigil.
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Ceremony Crafting:
Master the art of crafting meaningful ceremonies, from the cultural to the personal, and learn the importance of legacy keeping and storytelling.
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Case Studies & Group Work:
Apply your knowledge through real-life scenarios and collaborative group exercises, and learn about the nuanced topic of Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD).
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Business Basics:
Equip yourself with the knowledge to embark on a path of entrepreneurship within the realm of Death Doulaship, from managing your doula bag to navigating contracts and ethics in partnership with funeral homes.

You Will Receive…

An hour-long foundational class on death doulaship. Explores the purpose and impact a death doula has on a dying person and those who love them.
An hour-long, live Zoom class with Erin on October 28 at 6 pm MST. Lets meet and prepare together! (Recording available if you can't make it)
Austin Death Doula Training is led personally by Erin Merelli and is open to limited attendees. The address, directions, and full schedule for the day will be sent to attendees in the weeks before class.
Lunch is locally catered by a favorite restaurant. A preference form may be sent before the event for you to share your dietary needs.
You will be offered to take an (optional) certificate exam & receive a Certificate of Completion to signify your death doula studies.

You Might Be Wondering…

Absolutely. This training is designed for all levels of experience and provides everything needed to build a strong foundation in deathwork, supported by additional resources to prepare you for our time together.
We'll convene in a beautiful venue located 25 minutes from downtown Austin, engage in individual and group activities and immersive learning sessions, and enjoy an artisanal catered lunch together. Full details, including location and schedule, will be provided to attendees in the weeks before class.
Yes, you'll have the option to complete a Death Doula Exam and receive a Certificate of Completion, symbolizing your preparedness to enter the field of death doula work professionally. This certification respects the accessible nature of this calling, requiring no prior accreditation.
Yes, many payment plan options are available at checkout to make this work as accessible as possible.

“Thank you for all that you shared in class about your personal experience and professional practice. The kindness with which you approach the space and subject is touching and so heartfelt by your audience. Your path and willingness to welcome others to the work is inspiring. I appreciate you so much and I am delighted to include you in my lineage of learning!”

-Leah, graduate

A note from our venue host:

Bykowski Tailor & Garb began as a completely custom clothing shop and has become an integral part of many people's lives for almost fifteen years. We've been a part of countless weddings, firsts, celebrations, performances, gigs, and now, naturally, the final earthly curtain call. You'll feel that energy in our space. We've always organically created spaces as experiences, wherever we go and in everything we do. It's part of every facet of our lives. We cannot help ourselves!

The shop came to life when we couldn't find the styles we wanted for our wedding, even after having custom suits made for my husband, Christopher, and our beloved brothers. Christopher had long desired this style of clothing. We wanted something Edwardian and Prohibition- inspired, yet contemporary. No gimmicks. That desire for authenticity shaped the space we wanted to create, both for our shop and our home. People often walk in and say, "I just want to hang out or live here." We do, and we have! It's like a museum where you can engage with all of your senses and soul. We've shared many laughs, tears, and milestones with our patrons and loved ones in our spaces. They are always all-encompassing and our livelihood.

Never in my worst nightmares did I imagine that we would one day dress any family member, a brother, my brother in one of our suits for their final farewell. It was a suit worn by my husband the last time my entire family was together, at our beloved stepbrother's wedding. That possibility had never crossed our minds. We're still making wedding suits for our siblings! Chris has two brothers and a sister, I have two sisters and a brother, and I have step-siblings I love as if they were my own blood. It's not time for these kinds of thoughts. It's not time for this to happen. It's not time for that kind of suit for them! It is not time for a suit like this for MY BABY BROTHER (38)! And yet, here we are. I asked my parents and sisters if Alex could be dressed in one of my and Christopher's designed/custom made suits. Me, his one of three sisters, his big sister, the oldest sibling and his first brother-in-law, who has known him for almost twenty years. "Can we dress him, please?" Truthfully, I wasn't asking for permission - unless, of course, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, or Kobe Bryant were going to offer one of their championship jerseys.

With a smile and a heart both broken and full, I welcome you to our space. I became a part of this community where my morbid curiosity could make a difference in the world. This community saved my life before I even knew it would need saving. I was not prepared and yet more prepared than I could have ever hoped for. I was preparing for this and got wicked confirmation that I am on the right path. Fancy that, death saves lives. I'm grateful and honored to be among you all, and I'm plumb thrilled to host you.