The Lotus Bereavement Doula™ certification program has been created to train compassionate, skilled, and trauma-informed professionals to support families experiencing pregnancy loss, stillbirth, neonatal death, and pregnancy after loss.

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Founded by Stephanie Rouillon through the Lotus Health Foundation, this program was inspired by both lived experience and more than two decades of commitment to improving support for bereaved families. Following the loss of her son Jeff in 2004, Stephanie recognised the profound need for continuity of emotional support during and after pregnancy loss—support that many families struggle to access during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. The Lotus Bereavement Doula™ program is designed for experienced doulas, birth workers, support workers, healthcare professionals, peer supporters, and individuals who feel called to walk alongside families navigating grief, healing, and hope.

 

What You Will Learn

Participants will develop knowledge and skills in:

• Pregnancy loss and miscarriage support

• Stillbirth and neonatal death care

• Trauma-informed practice

• Grief and bereavement support

• Compassionate communication

• Memory making and legacy creation

• Hospital systems and advocacy

• Cultural safety and inclusive care

• Professional boundaries and self-care

• Supporting partners, siblings, and extended family

• Pregnancy after loss and rainbow pregnancy support

• Continuity of care for bereaved families

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Why This Program Matters

Families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss often receive excellent clinical care, yet many report feeling isolated between appointments, after discharge from hospital, and during subsequent pregnancies. The Lotus Bereavement Doula™ role has been developed to help bridge this gap by providing compassionate, non-clinical emotional support, information, presence, and continuity of care throughout a family's journey.

 

Certification Pathways

The Lotus Institute for Perinatal Loss & Rainbow Care™ is developing a suite of specialist certifications including:

• Lotus Bereavement Doula™

• Lotus Pregnancy After Loss Companion™

• Lotus Pregnancy Loss Companion™

• Lotus Clinical Bereavement Doula™

 

• Lotus Perinatal Palliative Support Practitioner™
   

Who Should Apply?

This training is suitable for:

• Experienced Doulas

• Birth Workers

• Midwives

• Nurses

• Social Workers

• Counsellors

• Community Support Workers

• Peer Support Volunteers

• Professionals working within the perinatal and bereavement sectors

 

Program Launch Registrations are now open.

The inaugural Lotus Bereavement Doula™ cohort will commence on 15 October 2026. Expression of Interest To receive the course prospectus, application information, and launch updates, please contact: admin@lotushealthfoundation.com
 

Together, we can create a more compassionate future for families experiencing loss, grief, healing, and pregnancy after loss.