Death Doula Training UK Code of Practice

Our Commitment

All learners, volunteers, and practising Death Doulas trained through Death Doula Training UK are expected to uphold the principles and standards outlined in this Code of Practice.

These standards represent our commitment to compassionate, ethical, and person-centred support for individuals nearing the end of life and for those important to them. They also help maintain public confidence in the role of the Death Doula and protect the integrity of our training community.

A Death Doula Will:

Place the wishes, dignity, and wellbeing of the individual at the centre of all their work.
Practise with compassion, empathy, respect, and integrity at all times.
Accept responsibility and accountability for their own practice.
Work honestly, transparently, and within the limits of their knowledge, experience, and training.
Respect the privacy and confidentiality of every individual and their family, except where disclosure is required by law or safeguarding responsibilities.
Work collaboratively alongside healthcare professionals, carers, and other support services, recognising and respecting their roles.
Clearly agree the scope of support with each client before services begin and ensure appropriate written agreements are in place.
Never undertake work beyond their competence and seek guidance or refer to appropriate professionals where necessary.
Provide emotional, practical, and informational support while respecting each person's beliefs, culture, values, and choices.
Keep accurate, secure, and timely records where appropriate and in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.
Present themselves professionally through their behaviour, communication, appearance, and conduct.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while building trusting and supportive relationships.
Commit to ongoing learning, reflective practice, and continuing professional development to maintain high standards of care.
Signpost clients and families to relevant organisations, services, and sources of additional support when appropriate.
Hold appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance and obtain a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where their role or working arrangements require it.

A Death Doula Will Not:

Present themselves as a doctor, nurse, counsellor, social worker, or any other regulated healthcare professional unless they are separately qualified and acting within that professional role.
Carry out clinical, medical, or nursing procedures, provide medical treatment, prescribe medication, or offer medical diagnoses.
Advise clients to ignore or replace the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.
Work outside the scope of their education, competence, or experience.
Exploit the trust of clients or families for personal, financial, emotional, or professional gain.
Discriminate against any individual on the grounds of age, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other protected characteristic.
Share confidential information about clients or their families without consent, unless required by law or where there is a safeguarding obligation.
Misrepresent their qualifications, experience, accreditation, or professional memberships.

Our Professional Promise

Every Death Doula trained through Death Doula Training UK is encouraged to uphold these principles throughout their practice. By doing so, we help ensure that individuals and families receive compassionate, ethical, and respectful support during one of life's most significant journeys, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and public trust.

Death Doula Training UK Code of Practice

Our Commitment

All learners, volunteers, and practising Death Doulas trained through Death Doula Training UK are expected to uphold the principles and standards outlined in this Code of Practice.

These standards represent our commitment to compassionate, ethical, and person-centred support for individuals nearing the end of life and for those important to them. They also help maintain public confidence in the role of the Death Doula and protect the integrity of our training community.

A Death Doula Will:

Place the wishes, dignity, and wellbeing of the individual at the centre of all their work.

Practise with compassion, empathy, respect, and integrity at all times.

Accept responsibility and accountability for their own practice.

Work honestly, transparently, and within the limits of their knowledge, experience, and training.

Respect the privacy and confidentiality of every individual and their family, except where disclosure is required by law or safeguarding responsibilities.

Work collaboratively alongside healthcare professionals, carers, and other support services, recognising and respecting their roles.

Clearly agree the scope of support with each client before services begin and ensure appropriate written agreements are in place.

Never undertake work beyond their competence and seek guidance or refer to appropriate professionals where necessary.

Provide emotional, practical, and informational support while respecting each person's beliefs, culture, values, and choices.

Keep accurate, secure, and timely records where appropriate and in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.

Present themselves professionally through their behaviour, communication, appearance, and conduct.

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while building trusting and supportive relationships.

Commit to ongoing learning, reflective practice, and continuing professional development to maintain high standards of care.

Signpost clients and families to relevant organisations, services, and sources of additional support when appropriate.

Hold appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance and obtain a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where their role or working arrangements require it.

A Death Doula Will Not:

Present themselves as a doctor, nurse, counsellor, social worker, or any other regulated healthcare professional unless they are separately qualified and acting within that professional role.

Carry out clinical, medical, or nursing procedures, provide medical treatment, prescribe medication, or offer medical diagnoses.

Advise clients to ignore or replace the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.

Work outside the scope of their education, competence, or experience.

Exploit the trust of clients or families for personal, financial, emotional, or professional gain.

Discriminate against any individual on the grounds of age, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other protected characteristic.

Share confidential information about clients or their families without consent, unless required by law or where there is a safeguarding obligation.

Misrepresent their qualifications, experience, accreditation, or professional memberships.

Our Professional Promise