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

    9. Live Lecture | Saturday, May 3 from 12–2p EDT

    10. Live Lecture Recording | May 3

    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

    7. Live Lecture | Saturday, May 10 from 12–2p EDT

    8. Live Lecture Recording | May 10

    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

    7. Live Lecture | Saturday, May 17 from 12–2p EDT

    8. Live Lecture Recording | May 17

    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

    5. Live Lecture | Saturday, May 31 from 12–2p EDT

    6. Live Lecture Recording | May 31

About this course

  • $999.00
  • 63 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content

Enrollment is limited. Save your spot!

Session 12 Begins Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Learn From A Pioneer

Cole Imperi

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.

5 star rating

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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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 teacher.

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5 star rating

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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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 more classes from this amazing school!

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5 star rating

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.

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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5 star rating

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...

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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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5 star rating

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 ...

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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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5 star rating

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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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 completed this course.

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5 star rating

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. ...

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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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