Become A Successful End of Life Coach [2024 Edition]

Do you think coaching is your calling? Do you want to do something honorable and long-lasting for the society? Don’t look back. This inspiring feeling you have is going to make all the difference.

There are so many types of coaching and becoming an End of Life coach is going to be a fulfilling career.

Are you curious to know more about becoming a successful, thriving end of life coach?

You are at the right place. In this comprehensive guide to becoming an End of Life coach, I’ll give you details about everything you need to know!

So, go ahead and get inspired. Start your coaching business and see it climb the ladders of success.

Who Is an End of Life Coach?

So, let’s begin with understanding who an end of life coach is. A lot of people just know that end of life coaching is a new and upcoming area of coaching. But they don’t know what it exactly is.

An end of life coach is someone who is going to be there for people who are dying or those who are struggling to cope with the death of a loved one. They are going to help their clients go through this emotional journey together.

They add peace and gratitude to the atmosphere of grief. They can empower clients to emerge through this ordeal. The coach will ensure a peaceful, honorable transition.

It is among the most tough, yet rewarding careers out there.

It is obvious that most of us are uncomfortable thinking or talking about death. Yet, we all know that it is inevitable.

Because we never want to imagine that it will happen to us or our loved ones, we are ill-prepared to cope with this loss. It is not something we are even prepared for. In fact, we go to great lengths to avoid talking about it.

This is why when we find ourselves in an unimaginable situation, we need expert help. When people reach out to end of life coaches, they are doing the right thing. They know that they can seek help. In fact, it is admirable.

In this case, an end of life coach’s entrance will make all the difference in the client’s life.

You must recognize that this role is an honor and privilege. You are actively making a difference in somebody’s life. It is you who will help them recover and bounce back to normalcy.

So, what are the basic responsibilities of an end of life coach? Let’s take a look. They assist in many things, including:

• Information
• Recovery tools
• Daily plans
• Contacting various official departments
• Hospice options
• Nourishing atmosphere
• Coping mechanisms
• Long-term plans
• Funeral arrangements
• Legal arrangements

These tasks might seem overwhelming, but in the presence of a wise, amazing end of life coach, they can be done without any troubles.

They will help clients see the right side of things. The client will recognize that death, like love, is a part of life.

What Does an End of Life Coach Do?

An end of life coach normalizes grieving.

She/he helps the client make sense of their experience. As an end of life coach, you are going to be the calm and compassionate presence in the grieving atmosphere.

The coach creates a safe space for the client. They think about the long-term benefits and assist in their client’s journey.

When your amazing skills are at work, the client will understand that it’s a natural process. They undergo a series of transformations that will change their lives. It’s a journey you two will embark upon together.

Now you may be wondering, how an end of life coach does all this. It might seem simple at the outset, but you know that’s not true. Death is not a matter that can be dealt with lightly. It needs empathy, understanding, and unending kindness.

An end of life coach uses various coaching techniques and coaching styles to help clients get their lives back on track.

Coaching Techniques Used by End of Life Coaches

I’m going to list the most popular ones out there. However, there are plenty more techniques. Above all, remember that your natural instinct is the best one.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

It is one of the treatments for emotional distress. Coaches who make use of this technique believe that tapping the body can create a balance in one’s energy system and treat pain. EFT uses acupressure to release blockages.

Writing exercises

End of life coaches can also ask their clients to pen down their thoughts or emotions. It helps clear the head. People also find it easier to be honest while using a pen and paper to write. It seems ridiculously simple, but a lot of people don’t try it. They need to be told. They need that push from you.

Asking open-ended questions

An end of life coach asks open-ended questions which serve as the key to make the client open up. Some examples of open-ended questions to ask:

• What/Who are you grateful for?
• What do you need most from me today?
• Is there anything you are uncomfortable talking about?
• What do you plan to do after this session?
• What’s been on your mind since the last time we spoke?

Guided Meditation

Meditation is amongst the most powerful processes to achieve inner peace. It can help reduce a significant amount of stress. Many people report a greater sense of calm after a simple five-minute breathing exercise. A guide will be of greater help in that case. They know what works for you and what doesn’t. They’ll help you go through a meditation session without distractions.

Cognitive Behavioral Coaching (CBC)

An end of life coach will help you replace negative thoughts with positive ones. CBC helps do exactly that.

Coaching Styles Used by End of Life Coaches

Of course, there are many different coaching styles. In particular, many end of life coaches have proper divisions about their manner and method of progress. I want to list out the two most popular ones.

Democratic style

In this coaching style, a client has great control over the coaching process. The coach gently guides the direction of the session. It focuses on the preferences and opinions of the client.

Holistic style

In this coaching style, the coach encourages overall balance and complete growth to the client, instead of just focusing on one issue. It gives the client a sense of purpose.

Remember that these are established forms and you don’t have to follow them. You can make your own rules and see what works for your client. It is your skills that matters the most. Sometimes, unconventional methods are required. And your inner voice will be your best guide.

Essential Skills Required to Be an End Of Life Coach

Now that you know what an end of life coach does, let’s also try and understand the skills required to do so.

An end of life coach possesses the following skills:

Good Listener

When people look for an end of life coach, they want someone they are comfortable talking with. One only reaches that level of comfort when they know that the other person is paying attention to them and really listening to what they are saying. A good listener comes across as someone who is wise, understanding, and empathetic.

Empathy

This brings me to another important quality which a life coach should possess – empathy. It helps the coach understand the thought process of the client. This helps to successfully coach them.

Ability to ask the right questions

As listed above, a good end of life coach will know what to ask the clients. The right questions will help the client open up. They are already vulnerable and have reached out to you. So, be prepared.

Self-awareness

Self-awareness is an important skill to have. When we are self-aware, we recognize our own strengths and weaknesses. It makes us a mature and positive individual. We can only do the same for someone else after we have reached that level ourselves. A self-aware human goes a long way in understanding and coping with the tragedies in life.

Emotional stability

A good end of life coach is strong and emotionally stable. She/he is well-equipped to deal with stress. This is how they help transform the client’s outlook. When your clients see your life, they must feel inspired. They should look up to you as a leader. And emotional stability is among the topmost quality they look for.

Difference Between an End of Life Coach And A Psychologist

An end of life coach as well as a psychologist focus on promoting healthy behavior. Their goal is to improve the client’s quality of life. They are going to the anchor of their client’s emotional journey.

This is where the difference between the two lies:

End of life coaching is the process of being with people who are dying or people who are mourning the loss of a loved one. The end of life coach affirms normalcy.

She/he assures the client that death, grief is a part of life. The role of an end of life coach is that of privilege. You bear witness to a unique time that almost nobody else does. Your help will be of great relief to your client.

On the other hand, a psychologist focuses on psychotherapy to treat emotional and mental suffering in clients. They also study the impact of the mind on the body, as manifested by one’s behavior.

It could be a result of suffering from a terminal illness, coping with a loved one suffering from a terminal illness, or the death of a loved one.

A psychologist also deals with other life and mental health issues. The psychologist does not assist in many things. They don’t get personal. They don’t see the raw picture. They have to be professionally objective to succeed.

Whereas an end of life coach has to go hand in hand with the client. They are the voice of the client’s emotions. They assist in many practical things that a psychologist does not do.

Should You Become an End of Life Coach?

Do you want a challenging yet fulfilling job? Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life? Are you waiting to impart your wisdom to those in need?

Are you ready to put in the required amount of dedication and hard work?

Are you?

That’s great news!

Rendering peace and normality to someone’s life is not an easy job. Your end of life coaching business can guide people to happiness. It can help them get their lives back on track. It can lead them to acceptance.

You, on the other hand, can make money out of your passion. End of life coaching is amongst the top life coaching niches.

So, don’t hold yourself back.

Go and pursue your passion.

And see what life has to offer.

How Much Does An End Of Life Coach Make?

Every aspiring coach has this one question – “Does life coaching pay well?” It absolutely can. You only have to take a look at all the successful coaches around the world to answer this question.

An end of life coach will bank upon her/his experience and reputation to earn a fat salary. The number of years of coaching experience you possess plays a major role in lending credibility.

When you are in this niche for many years, the word will spread. People will come to you and ask for your advice. Remember that networking and marketing yourself is key. Don’t stop at anything that is less than your worth.

The hourly pay of an end of life coach can range anywhere between $30 to $70 dollars. It might seem low, but remember this is a number for beginners and new coaches in the field.

The average coaching salary of an end of life coach ranges from $27,100 to $73,100, depending on how well you can market yourself.

An experienced coach has a higher probability to impress the clients than a newbie. The more high-ticket clients that you find, the more you can earn as an end of life coach.

Further, when you start building your network, your earning potential will also go up.

Other factors that will determine your income are:

• Certifications: They lend credibility.
• Location of your business.
• The number of clients you have.
• How much you charge per session.

You need to determine your fees while opening a coaching business. Many coaches also offer a coaching package to their clients.

You can also do so based on how you want to project the business.

Do You Need Coaching Certifications to Become An End Of Life Coach?

Now that you know and understand what it takes to be an end of life coach, let us find out how you can go about it.

Your reputation as an end of life coach will be built on your skills, and certifications aren’t a must. At best, certifications are an addition to your natural talents. Your top most goal should be to help your client achieve mental peace.

Everything else follows suit. Once you know what your heart desires, nothing else will matter. If you are a huge success, clients will flock to you.

Good reviews from your present clients will also help you get new ones.

However, if you want to pursue coaching certifications, there are many recognized and well-researched training courses online.

These can be your in-depth guides to understand the field. Remember that they are not a must. They only burnish your skills.

Meanwhile, a simple search on the Internet can guide you towards many awe-inspiring resources, including excellent articles, books, talks, and shows. In my experience, books are the best bet to learn more.

I have been recommended various books by my peers and friends over the years. Let me tell you, they are absolutely worth a read. Here are my best recommendations for you as an end of life coach:

• Coaching at End of Life: A Coaching4Clergy Textbook by Dr. Don Eisenhauer and J. Val Hastings
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life by Katy Butler
• Advice for Future Corpses (and Those Who Love Them): A Practical Perspective on Death and Dying by Sallie Tisdale
• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers

There are several Youtube videos and podcasts too on end of life coaching. You can find them here and here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)