Welcome to Death Unfolded
A virtual shadowing experience for Death Doulas
This course is an immersive, case-study experience designed for trained Death Doulas who want practical confidence before stepping into client work
The Deathwork 'gap' no one talks about...
“What does this actually look like with a real family?”
“How do I handle conflict?”
“What if I freeze?”
“What if I say the wrong thing?”
“What if a family looks to me for guidance and I don’t know what to do?”
You learned the concepts. But many Death Doulas are still left craving: real examples lived experience practical exposure emotional preparedness mentorship
That’s where Death Unfolded comes in.
What's Inside Death Unfolded
When you enroll in Death Unfolded you follow real client journeys and gain access to hands-on learning and practical exposure from Death Doulas who've lived it. Here’s what you can expect:
Case Studies
Interactive Exercises
Educational Content
Death Unfolded is for you if...
Death Unfolded is designed for anyone who wants to understand what actually happens at the end of life so they can feel prepared, present, and confident supporting themselves or someone they love.
You’ve completed Death Doula training but still don’t feel fully ready
You’re nervous about working with your first client You understand the role intellectually but want real-world context
You crave more hands-on learning and practical exposure
You’ve wished you could shadow an experienced Doula
You want to feel calmer and more grounded in emotionally charged situations
You want confidence, not just certification
Meet Your Teachers
Erin Merelli
Erin Merelli is a Death Doula, educator, and public speaker who guides individuals, families, and communities to meet mortality with intention, courage, and love.
Kacie Gikonyo
Kacie Gikonyo (aka Death Doula Kacie) is an RN, author, educator, and founder of Death Doula School, dedicated to demystifying death and restoring dignity to the dying process.
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Death, Unfolded is designed for Doulas who have already completed foundational Death Doula training and want more real-world guidance before or while working with clients. This is not a 101-level certification course. It’s an immersive case-study experience focused on practical application, confidence, and navigating real-life situations.
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Most trainings teach the role of a death doula. Death, Unfolded focuses on what the work actually looks like in practice. Through real case studies, lived experiences, family dynamics, difficult conversations, and behind-the-scenes guidance from two experienced doulas, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how this work unfolds in real life.
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Yes. This course was specifically created for doulas who feel called to the work but still want more support, exposure, and confidence before fully stepping into client care. Many doulas leave certification programs still wondering what real client work actually feels like. This experience helps bridge that gap.
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Absolutely. Death Unfolded was specifically created for trained death doulas who are looking for more real-world guidance, confidence, and practical exposure before or while working with clients. While many trainings teach the foundations of death work, this course focuses on what happens in real-life situations: family dynamics, emotional complexity, difficult conversations, ethical grey areas, active dying, and the moments that can’t always be taught through a textbook. Think of this as the bridge between certification and real-world practice.
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By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to navigate real-life end-of-life situations with more clarity and confidence. You’ll leave with practical insight into consultations, family communication, legacy work, active dying, after-death care, and the emotional nuances of supporting clients through the dying process. Most importantly, you’ll feel more prepared to step into this work in a grounded and supported way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deathwork isn't black + white
Families are complex.
Grief is unpredictable.
Relationships don’t suddenly become easy because someone is dying.
This course explores:
tension
uncertainty
emotional nuance
ethical complexity
difficult personalities
fear
resistance
love
anticipatory grief
Because this work isn’t about perfect answers. It’s about learning how to remain grounded inside the unknown.
You've Taken the Training. Time to Start the Sacred Work
you do deserve support before stepping into sacred spaces.
Death Unfolded was created to help bridge the space between learning the role and living it. If you’ve been craving more confidence, more clarity, and more real-world understanding before stepping into client work… This experience was built for you. You are NOT alone.
