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Bereavement Doula Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Current MDHHS doula certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire) specializing in birth, postpartum, and/or bereavement doula services. Lactation Counselor certification is ...

Bereavement Doula information

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$38.5K

$49.2K

$65K

How much do bereavement doula jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for bereavement doula in the United States is $49,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,500.00 and $51,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical challenges a bereavement doula might face while supporting grieving families?

Bereavement Doulas often encounter the emotional challenge of supporting clients through intense grief and sometimes unpredictable emotional reactions. They may work with families from diverse backgrounds, each with unique cultural, religious, or personal approaches to loss, which can require flexibility and sensitivity. Balancing emotional involvement while practicing self-care is also essential, as the work can be emotionally demanding. However, many find the role deeply rewarding as they make a meaningful difference for families during a critical time.

What is a bereavement doula?

A Bereavement Doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to individuals and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. They offer compassionate guidance before, during, and after loss, helping families navigate grief, make informed decisions, and honor their baby’s memory. Their support may include bedside presence, creating keepsakes, assisting with memorial planning, and connecting families to resources. Bereavement Doulas work in hospitals, homes, and funeral settings to ensure families feel supported during this difficult time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a bereavement doula, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Bereavement Doula, you need a deep understanding of grief support, non-medical end-of-life care, and crisis intervention, often supported by specialized training or certification in bereavement or doula work. Familiarity with grief assessment tools, online support platforms, and client documentation systems is often required. Compassion, strong listening skills, and emotional resilience set exceptional candidates apart in this sensitive role. These skills are crucial for providing meaningful support to individuals and families coping with loss, ensuring their needs are met compassionately and professionally.

More about Bereavement Doula jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Bereavement Doula jobs? The most popular types of Bereavement Doula jobs are:
Infographic showing various Bereavement Doula job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% As Needed, 25% Full Time, and 50% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,220 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Great Lakes Bay Health Centers rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

  1.  Initiates contact as early in pregnancy as possible with assigned families.
  2. Reliably attends scheduled appointments and have timely availability and accessibility for assigned families.
  3. Visits pregnant and parenting women in their homes and other settings based on client preference and safety.
  4. Uses provided tools including birth plans, techniques, and materials to prepare women for hospital labor and delivery experiences and for new parenting role.
  5. Attends and supports the mother and family through labor and delivery and the few hours after delivery.
  6. Utilizes electronic medical record and required forms to document billable services provided in a timely manner per the Michigan Medicaid Bulletins for Medicaid Coverage of Doula Services and Medicaid Coverage of Community Health Worker (CHW)/Community Health Representative (CHR) Services. 
  7. Attempts to visit the mother-baby pair after hospital discharge or per client preference.
  8. Attempts to maintain postpartum contact to support breastfeeding, guide infant care, and provide continued emotional support for up to 12 months.
  9. Relies on doula training, experiences, and resources to advocate and monitor mother/ baby pair’s medical and social needs.
  10. Develops relationships with community partners including medical care providers such as labor & delivery nurses and OB-GYNs to ensure access to patients in hospitals and inclusion on birthing teams.
  11. Maintains confidentiality of families served.
  12. Makes appropriate referrals to community resources as needed.

MARGINAL JOB DUTIES

  1. Participates in interdisciplinary and/or interagency meetings.
  2. Represents GLBHC at community meetings as needed.
  3. Responsible for the planning and participation in community outreach activities, health fairs and other GLBHC supported events.
  4. Assists in the orientation and training of newly hired Community-Based Doulas/Perinatal CHWs.
  5. Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Tier One – Doula:

  1. Education: High School graduate or equivalent.  Graduate of MDHHS-approved doula training program or must complete within 3 months of hire.
  2. Licensure: Current MDHHS doula certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire) specializing in birth, postpartum, and/or bereavement doula services. Lactation Counselor certification is preferred.
  3. Experience: Extensive childbirth experience.  Ability to demonstrate evidence of prior successful pregnancy, labor & delivery, and/or postpartum support experience.
  4. Skills: Must possess computer skills. Problem identification and resolution, working toward mutually beneficial situations.  Self-motivated. Decision maker. Able to function with minimal daily supervision. Organized and detail oriented. 
  5. Interpersonal Skills: Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population. Must possess appropriate professional attitude and behavior.
  6. Physical Effort: Medium.
  7. Hours of Work: Full-time/Part-time; flexible and varied. Must maintain regular and timely attendance. Some evenings and weekends may be required.
  8. Travel: Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and liability auto insurance is required. May require travel within service area and between GLBHC site locations. Reimbursement in accordance with GLBHC travel policy. 

Tier Two – CHW:

  1. Education: High School graduate or equivalent.  Graduate of MDHHS-approved community health worker (CHW)/community health representative (CHR) training program or must complete within 9 months of hire.
  2. Licensure: Current MDHHS CHW/CHR certification (if already completed a training program prior to hire). required to maintain a CPR/BLS certification.
  3. Experience: Paid or volunteer care coordination, system navigation, health promotion, and/or education experience within the last three years in one or more of the following settings:
    • In licensed health care facility
    • In the services of a licensed physical or behavioral health care provider
    • In a community-based organization addressing health-related social needs
  4. Skills: Must possess computer skills. Problem identification and resolution, working toward mutually beneficial situations.  Self-motivated. Decision maker. Able to function with minimal daily supervision. Organized and detail oriented.  Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
  5. Interpersonal Skills: Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse population.  Must possess appropriate professional attitude and behavior.
  6. Physical Effort: Medium.
  7. Hours of Work: Full-time/Part-time; flexible and varied.  Must maintain regular and timely attendance.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.
  8. Travel: Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and liability auto insurance is required. May require travel within service area and between GLBHC site locations. Reimbursement in accordance with GLBHC travel policy. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.


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