End of Life Careers

Certifications & licenses

Explore certifications and professional credentials for careers connected to death, dying, loss, care, and what comes next. See what they cover, who offers them, and which careers they support.

50
credentials
7
licenses
39
certifications
4
trainings
Digital Legacy & Estate Tech TrainingThey understand how to manage digital assets like photos, social media, emails, and cloud files after death. TrainingVaries (e.g., Digital Legacy... Professional After Loss Specialist (PALS)They’ve been trained to assist families with post-death logistics including paperwork, account closures, and estate tasks. CertificationProfessionals of After Loss Services Senior Move Manager Certified (SMM-C) CertificationNational Association of Senior... Trauma and Crime Scene Technician (TCST) CertificationInstitute of Inspection, Cleaning... Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) CertificationHospice and Palliative... Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) CertificationBoard of Chaplaincy Certification... Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN) CertificationHospice and Palliative... Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)They’ve demonstrated professional-level knowledge in hospice and palliative nursing care. CertificationHospice and Palliative Credentialing Center Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA) CertificationHospice and Palliative... Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN) CertificationHospice and Palliative... Certified Music-Thanatologist (CM-Th) CertificationMusic-Thanatology Association... Certified Thanatologist (CT)They’ve studied death, dying, and bereavement from a professional, clinical, or academic lens. CertificationAssociation for Death Education... Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS) CertificationAssociation for Advancing Tissue... Death Midwife / Home Funeral Guide CertificationThey’re trained to guide families in caring for their loved one’s body at home after death. TrainingVaries by region; includes Sacred... INELDA End-of-Life Doula Certification CertificationInternational End-of-Life Doula... NEDA Certificate of Proficiency for End-of-Life Doulas CertificationNational End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) Palliative Care & Hospice Advanced Certification (BCC-PCHAC) CertificationBCCI/APC or NACC University of Vermont End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate TrainingUniversity of Vermont ABMDI Board Certification (F-ABMDI) CertificationAmerican Board of Medicolegal... ABMDI Registry Certification (D-ABMDI) CertificationAmerican Board of Medicolegal... Forensic Pathology Subspecialty Certification LicenseAmerican Board of Pathology (ABPath) Certified Daily Money Manager® (CDMM)They’ve demonstrated experience in daily money management, passed a certification exam, and uphold a strict code of ethics focused on integrity,... CertificationAmerican Association of Daily... Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)They’ve passed a rigorous national exam and meet ethical and education standards for comprehensive financial planning. CertificationCFP Board Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)They’ve completed advanced training in life insurance and estate planning with a strong ethical component. CertificationThe American College of Financial Services Licensed Insurance AgentThey’re legally authorized to sell insurance products in their state, including life, health, and long-term care coverage. LicenseIndividual state departments of insurance Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)They specialize in helping clients transition from saving to sustainable income in retirement. CertificationThe American College of Financial Services Certified CelebrantTrained to design and lead customized, often non-religious ceremonies CertificationInsight Institute, InSight Books Certified Crematory Operator (CCO)Certified to operate cremation equipment safely and legally CertificationCremation Association of North... Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) CertificationAcademy of Professional Funeral... Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) CertificationNational Funeral Directors... ICCFA Crematory Operator Certification CertificationInternational Cemetery, Cremation... Licensed Embalmer (LE)Licensed to preserve and prepare the deceased for viewing, transport, or burial LicenseState funeral boards Licensed Funeral DirectorLicensed to arrange and direct funerals, manage disposition, and comply with legal requirements LicenseState funeral boards NFDA Certified Crematory Operator (CCO) CertificationNational Funeral Directors... Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW)They’ve demonstrated advanced skills in psychosocial support, grief counseling, and palliative care. CertificationNASW & the Social Work Hospice and... Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker Certification (APHSW-C) CertificationHospice and Palliative... Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)They’ve completed trauma-informed clinical training, often used with grief clients. CertificationEvergreen Certifications... Certified Funeral CelebrantThey’re trained to create personalized memorial services that reflect a person’s beliefs, life, and values. CertificationInsight Institute or InSight Books Certified Grief Counselor (CG-C)They’ve completed specialized coursework in grief theory, process, and support strategies. CertificationAmerican Institute of Health Care... Certified Life Legacy Coach™They help clients explore purpose, tell their stories, and pass on personal wisdom. TrainingInternational Coach... Fellow in Thanatology (FT) CertificationAssociation for Death Education... Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®)They’re an experienced, credentialed professional who collaborates with other advisors to develop advanced estate plans. CertificationNational Association of Estate... Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) CertificationCFRE International Certified Public Accountant (CPA) LicenseState boards of accountancy Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) CertificationAmerican Bankers Association (ABA) Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®)They’re trained to help individuals and nonprofits integrate charitable giving into estate and legacy planning CertificationThe American College of Financial Services Enrolled Agent (EA) LicenseInternal Revenue Service (IRS) Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS)They’re an attorney with proven expertise in estate law, meeting rigorous ethical and educational standards CertificationNAEPC, ABA-accredited Personal Financial Specialist (PFS™)They’re a CPA with additional training in personal financial planning, including estate and retirement guidance CertificationAmerican Institute of CPAs (AICPA) State Bar Licence LicenseState bar admission authorities Suggest a certification Know a credential we have missed? 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