Death Companioning Community Crash Course

Death Companioning Community Crash Course - London, ON

Held in partnership with the Collaborative Doula Collective, this one-day Crash Course is designed to give those interested in Death Companioning a framework to build upon and applicable tools to apply RIGHT NOW. All experience levels welcome from "never-evers" to "everyday-ers". Those who pass an exam and submit a paper will be granted the status of Death Companioning Initiate. Includes course curriculum available online to you during and after the training, access to our online community The Grove, and in person instruction with Cole Imperi.

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About the Conference

The Collaborative Doula Conference aims to unite those who support individuals and families through all of life’s transitions—from birth to end-of-life and everything in between. By bringing together caregivers from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences, we foster community, professional growth, and shared learning. Through open dialogue, education, and collaboration, we strive to build a stronger, more inclusive network of support that honours the full spectrum of care.

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Conference Tickets

Planning to attend the conference? You will need to purchase a ticket. Only want to attend the Death Companioning Training? Click the "Enroll Today!" button at the top of the page. (Conference tickets and enrollment are separate purchases. You are not required to attend the conference in order to enroll in Death Companioning.)

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What's Included

Students will have expanded course material available online through our School's portal, in addition to material from the in-person, one-day intensive. All presentation slides, reading, recorded lectures, and resources will remain available to you after the training.

In-Person One-Day Intensive

This is an in-person one-day intensive led by Cole Imperi. It's the ONLY in-person training offered by the School of American Thanatology in Canada in 2025.
Become a Death Companion

No matter what you ultimately decide to call yourself, this intensive training arms you with the skills to choose wisely. Once graduates pass the online exam, and submit their final paper, Death Companioning Initiate status will be granted.
The Grove

The School has a private, online community called The Grove. It is only available to past and current students, and is included. Also, join us on Fridays at 1pm PT for our co-working session. These are also included (and optional, of course) and are only for students and alumni.

Course curriculum

1. We Begin | Death Companioning Community Crash Course
2. General Discussion & Help Requests
3. Where We're From
4. About the School of American Thanatology
1. A Note from Cole
2. Survey | We Begin
3. How To Use This Course
4. Introduce Yourself
1. About Module 1
2. Reading | About Death Companioning | The 411
3. Reading | About Death Companioning | Do's and Do Not's and Scope of Practice
4. Reading | About Death Companioning | Are You Coaching, Mentoring, Treating, Counseling or Teaching?
5. Presentation | The 411
6. Download | Death Companion | It's All In A Name
7. Download | Healthcare to Deathcare | Where Death Companions Fit
8. Discussion | Learn From Your Community
1. About Module 2
2. Reading | As Unique As You Are
3. Reading | Death Companions Choose A Client Focus and a Community Focus
4. Reading | Death Companions Choose A Spectrum Point of Care
5. Assignment | How Would You Describe Yourself?
6. Presentation | Uniquely You
1. About Module 3
2. Presentation | Chaplaincy, Spirituality & Worldviews
3. Reading | Chaplaincy—A Primer
4. Discussion | Worldviews
5. Reference | Chaplaincy Qualifications
6. Reference | Verbatim Example
1. Shadowloss | Teaching The Term To Others
2. Discussion | Let's Check In—How Are You?
3. Presentation | Shadowloss
4. Shadowloss | Clinical Technique For Companioning
1. Discussion | Dragonfly Meaning and a Personal Symbol
2. Presentation | Death & Grief
1. Presentation | Navigating Pandemics, Disasters and Crises as a Death Companion
2. Video | Home Funeral Guides and Pandemic Care
3. Discussion | Deathcare Industry Resources and Healthcare Industry Resources
4. Resource | CERT Training
1. Resource | The Wheel
2. References and Continued Reading
3. References | People and Things
4. Survey | What You Learned
5. Reference | Resume Communication
6. Presentation | The Final Piece
1. What's Next
1. Final Assignment
2. Final Exam
3. Download | All Presentation Slides

About this course

$1,249.00
48 lessons
0 hours of video content

Learn From A Pioneer

Cole Imperi

[email protected]

Cole Imperi is a 3x certified thanatologist, an award-winning author, and researcher whose work focuses on the use of non-clinical tools in support of those experiencing loss and grief. She is the founder of the School of American Thanatology. Cole is the author of "A Guide to Grief" (for tweens and teens) published by Kids Can Press, and a forthcoming book about grief for adults to be published by Penguin. Cole established the field of Thanabotany, and is a California Master Gardener.

What Students Say

Our program has been running for 5 years, with students from 30 countries.

Highly recommend Cole as teacher and guide!

Jess Hindley

I wanted to do this course to get a comprehensive understanding of what death companioning is about and I got all of that and more. I was blown away by Coles enthusiasm and the integrity she shows in all she does. I highly recommend her as a teac...

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Game Changing

Jessica Goddard

This course changed the game for me. I was so impressed with how immersive the online format was. I highly recommend speaking up and getting as involved as possible. What you out into the course is exactly what you will get out. I can't wait for...

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Excellent, thought-provoking self examination

Suzette Martinez Standring (she/her)

I realize now that all grief - actual death and shadow losses - are recognized in the same way within the brain and need to be recognized by others. To have one's grief seen and shared is a comfort that a Death Companion can fulfill.

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Exactly what I didn't know I was looking for!

angel browning

After completing this course, I have such appreciation for the gift that is life, can vividly see the beauty that death can be and bring. I look forward to the ripples of impact that originate from the companion space that I settle into. Thank you, Ms. Cole Imperi for the inspiration to add such a meaningful element to my life (and of course always...my eventual death).

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Authentic Community Learning

Shannon Dominguez-Stevens

When signing up for the crash course, I had no idea that what I would get from it would be so much more than an educational space. In a little over 2 weeks time, Cole was able to not only bring together like minded, eager learners but a community of folx who will no doubt support one another on the journey ahead of us. This course offers a space to learn, be honest, be stretched and have fun doing it all! The lessons learned about holding space death, dying, grief will be a balm for living, until I die.

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Fantastic Crash Course

Mary Kate Battles

A great crash course into the world of thanatology. For me it was the perfect mix of education and discussion. Cole Imperi did a fantastic job of facilitating this course, especially during a pandemic and tailoring it to our needs. So glad I compl...

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Though slightly long, the title says exactly what the course is; there is no mistaking that it will be a lot of information in a short amount of time.

Christina Guerin

Every Module was laid out neatly and was easy to follow along. The information was valuable, insightful and educational. I would highly recommend this course, or anything similar from Cole, to anyone interested in doing Death Companioning work. The course is informative without putting you on information overload. Thank You Cole!! I look forward to taking other courses with you!

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