Beyond the Service: Grief-Informed Client Care and Burnout Prevention for Funeral Professionals

Because grief touches every family you serve, and every part of you. Learn how to support both.

What You’ll Gain By Taking This Course

  • The Tools to Support Grieving Families with Confidence
    Learn what grief really looks like and how to respond with empathy, not just logistics.
  • Grief-Sensitive Language That Brings Comfort — Not Clichés
    Know what to say (and what to avoid) during some of life’s most emotionally charged moments.
  • Real-World Communication Skills for Difficult Conversations
    Navigate family conflict, emotional overwhelm, and high-stress decisions with clarity and compassion.
  • Cultural and Spiritual Sensitivity
    Honor diverse traditions, beliefs, and grief rituals with respect — without overstepping.
  • Healthy Boundaries That Protect Your Heart and Your Energy
    Care deeply without carrying it all. Learn how to be present without burning out.
  • A Renewed Sense of Purpose in Your Work
    Reconnect to why this work matters and how to sustain it for the long haul.
  • A Certificate of Completion You Can Proudly Share
    Demonstrate your commitment to grief-informed, heart-centered funeral care.
Review Highlight

What professionals are saying about this course

I’ve been working through the course bit by bit, and I have to say, my first impression hit me hard. I almost cried thinking, 'Where was this when I was starting out in deathcare?'
This is a MUST in deathcare training. This needs to be a required new hire on-boarding must in the funeral industry.

Portrait of Diana Brooks
Diana Brooks

Diana Brooks has worked in the deathcare field since 2006, serving as a licensed pre-need counselor, cemetery manager, and funeral celebrant. She hosts a local Death Cafe and currently leads community engagement for Foundation Partners Group, supporting 10 funeral homes across Tampa Bay.

What You’ll Learn Inside the Course

    1. Welcome

    1. The Emotional Impact of Funeral Work

    2. Holding Space, Not Fixing Pain

    3. Professional Boundaries with Grieving Families

    4. Reflection Prompt

    1. What Is Grief? Beyond Death and Sadness

    2. Types of Grief You’ll Encounter

    3. Grief Is Not a Linear Process

    4. The Difference Between Grief & Mourning

    5. The Physical and Emotional Impact of Grief

    6. Reflection Prompt

    1. Grief Sensitive vs. Grief Stigmatizing Language

    2. Communicating with Compassion: What to Say & What to Avoid

    3. Communicating Under Emotional Pressure

    4. The Power of Active Listening

    5. Handling Difficult Conversations with Grieving Families

    6. Reflection Prompt

    1. Creating a Nurturing & Non-Transactional Environment

    2. Guiding Families Through Overwhelm and Decision Fatigue

    1. Understanding Grief Across Cultures and Traditions

    2. Navigating Spirituality and Diverse Beliefs

    3. What to Do When Families Disagree on Rituals

    4. Reflection Prompt

About this course

  • 48 lessons

Don't just take our word for it

See what our students have to say about our courses:

Trusted by over +3,600 heart-led individuals

This is a MUST in deathcare training. This needs to be a required new hire on-boarding must in the funeral industry.

Diana B.
Funeral Professional

I had been feeling called to include grief coaching to my end of life work for some time. It was something that I was putting off until I was confronted with my own devastating loss. The timing, the support from Terri and the content was exactly what I needed to step into this role as a Master Grief Coach. I feel confident in my abilities to hold space for grief and create a non judgmental environment for healing after taking this training.
The ongoing support I've felt after completing my certification from Terri and the great community she's creating has been an added gift!

Lynn P.
Certification Program Graduate

Just what I was looking for ! As a End of Life Doula this course was perfect to add to my training and education. The course was self paced (great for those with busy lives) yet Terri was always accessible to answer questions and to connect with. While I have worked with widows in my community for years having my Master Grief coaching certification just adds to the way I can help and coach others along their path. Thank you Terri for offering this amazing course!

Carol W.
Certification Program Graduate

I recently completed the Healing Hearts Master Grief Coaching Certification Program, and I cannot speak highly enough of the experience. From start to finish, the course was thoughtfully designed, offering a perfect balance of in-depth material, practical resources, and compassionate guidance.

The course materials were rich, relevant, and easy to absorb, providing valuable insights into the complex nature of grief and how to support clients effectively. I appreciated the seamless structure and ease of navigation, which made the learning experience smooth and accessible, even with a busy schedule.

A special thank you to Terri, whose deep knowledge and authentic empathy truly set this program apart. Her ability to create a safe and supportive space showed through the course materials and was both inspiring and empowering.

It’s clear that tremendous care and intentionality went into crafting this program, not only to educate, but to equip and uplift. I feel more confident and prepared to walk alongside those navigating grief, and I’m deeply grateful for this transformative journey.

Tiffany F.
Certification Program Graduate

After working as a nurse for many years and witnessing firsthand the profound impact grief can have on individuals, I felt a deep calling to help those who are suffering. I wanted to equip people with the tools and support they need on their healing journey.

Last year, I completed my Master’s in Counseling at Liberty University. After graduating, I set my sights on becoming a certified grief coach. During my search for the right training program, I came across Terry’s website. After speaking with her, I was incredibly impressed—but I’ll admit, I was still a bit hesitant. It's only natural—I had spent the past several years pursuing my degree and wanted to ensure I was making the right choice.

I’m so grateful I took the plunge. Terry’s class gave me powerful insights and practical tools that will stay with me for a lifetime. Her lessons were clear, well-structured, and deeply impactful. Despite earning a degree, I truly didn’t feel ready to fully support clients in their grief until I took her course. Now, I feel confident, equipped, and inspired.

I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Chelsea S.
Certification Program Graduate

Terri's Healing Hearts Master Grief Coach Certification program was very helpful in my journey as a Grief Coach. Having this certification gave me more credibility in my business and the information covered in the program was very helpful and easy to apply to my coaching. Terri was always available for questions or to discuss course content. I highly recommend this program for anyone interested in pursuing a career or a side hustle as a Grief Coach.

Emily C.
Certification Program Graduate

As a funeral service professional and someone who has a deep calling for helping others heal, this course came into my life at the most divine time. This was a very impactful resource for my path, career and own journey. Terri is a breath of fresh air as she is like minded and has set up an amazing course full of success. I am grateful to have become a Master Grief Coach!.

Caryn D.
Certification Program Graduate

As a Death Doula I wanted to become a certified grief coach to support my clients and their families. I found this program incredibly insightful and felt like I learned a lot about how to support those experiencing all different types of grief and how to meet people where they are in their process.

Mikey M.
Certification Program Graduate

Extensive knowledge and useful real world tools for helping others in grief spaces. This program was amazing for guiding you through grief work and how to show up for others, very comprehensive and easy to navigate, full of priceless knowledge and resources, and overall just an amazing heartfelt approach to helping others navigate grief in both professional and spiritual ways. Thank you so much Terri for creating this space to help others help other grievers. Highly recommended program!

Lauren S.
Certification Program Graduate

The Healing Hearts Master Grief Coach Certification Program was so informative not only did it give indepth insight on my own grief but it allowed me to learn how to help others in dealing with their grief. It showed me how to address and how to interact with others in their time of need. Even though throughout my life and the grief that I have experienced I now have a new attitude and new outlook on life itself. How to continue to grow to be resilient and help others heal is my number one goal and this class that Terri teaches has taught me that and so much more. Thank you Terri.

Michele B.
Certification Program Graduate

I highly recommend anyone that has experienced loss and wants to help others navigate through the stages of grief to a place of healing should take this course. Terri's comprehensive course material helped me see the many facets of grief from a broader and knowledgeable perspective. Finally, I chose to take the course to honor my son Cedric's legacy; as he had a big heart and was a good listener to so many people. The course gave me the tools and confidence to truly help others through their Grief to Healing journey. I am also on my church's Comfort and Care Ministry which allows me to weekly communicate verbally or send Sympathy cards to those that have experienced loss. "Healing Hearts" is so appropriately named; as it truly heals hearts by serving as a safe place for people who have experienced loss to heal with the assistance of a Certified Master Grief Coach!

Janice C.
Certification Program Graduate

The course was easy to navigate, and as a busy mom and business owner, I appreciated the flexibility of the go-at-your-own-pace approach. The content was insightful, relevant, and practical, providing valuable tools that not only deepened my understanding of grief but also helped me process my own after the recent passing of my father. I look forward to applying this knowledge to support my clients with greater depth and compassion in my end-of-life coaching services.

Kristy W.
Certification Program Graduate

As a grieving mother for nearly 12 years, I’ve been through a lot of the emotional highs and lows that come with loss. I also work in a funeral home, so I’m very familiar with the emotional side of grief from a professional standpoint. But Terri’s Master Certified Grief Coach course opened my eyes to a completely different aspect of grief — the “other” side of it that I hadn’t fully understood before.
The course was incredibly helpful, providing a clear and thoughtful roadmap for navigating grief. Terri walks you through every step, making the complex journey feel more manageable. I’m so grateful for the insights I gained, as well as the support and guidance from someone who truly understands.
Although I’m deeply saddened that our paths crossed due to the loss of our children, I’m truly blessed to have Terri as both a mentor and a friend. This course has made a significant impact on both my personal and professional life, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Lisa N.
Certification Program Graduate

This has been an amazing opportunity for me to learn about my own journey with grief and also gave me the tools to help others with theirs. This course had all the information for me to build a foundation on which I can grow and build my own career of coaching and helping others. I have been in my current profession for 24 years and felt I had more to give. Becoming a Master Grief Coach has given me the confidence to embark on this new chapter in my life.

Heather F.
Certification Program Graduate

I recently completed Healing Hearts Master Grief Coaching Program that exceeded my expectations. The course was well detailed and thoughtfully organized, offering valuable information and real- life examples that made the content easy to understand and apply. The coach Terri was incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about helping others heal, truly inspired me. I walked away not only with practical tools and techniques but also with the confidence and clarity needed to begin my journey as a grief coach. This program has given me a strong foundation and a meaningful head start toward becoming a compassionate and impactful coach who helps others heal in a positive, empowering way. I'm truly grateful for this experience.

Phyneidra M.
Certification Program Graduate

Terri has developed an extremely thorough program that has all the information you will need to suceed at becoming an accredited master grief coach!! I highly recommend her program to anyone wishing to help those grieving, wether personal or professional! Terri's experience and passion shines through every time you speak with her and she genuinely wants to help create more people to help do this special kind of work. It was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend any of Terri's programs!

Jennifer P.
Certification Program Graduate

I am so glad I found Terri and her grief coaching certification. As a death doula, I wanted to have more confidence in the modalities and services I can provide to families after a death, loss or life or health transition. I learned a lot and really enjoyed my assessment and the chance to speak with Terri and learn how aligned we are.

If you need grief support for yourself or want to learn how to better provide grief support to people you love and serve, you won’t regret reaching out to her.

Michelle C.
Certification Program Graduate

Terri gave me such solid and thoughtful groundwork for creating my own coaching business. Her curriculum covers all the bases. She made sure I knew she was rooting for me during the course and I really loved that. She is a true advocate for the bereavement process and I am so grateful to have met her and to call her a friend. Highly recommend this course if you are considering becoming an ally for those who are grieving.

Erin C.
Certification Program Graduate

Enroll Today and Elevate the Way You Serve

Get lifetime access to the full course, downloadable tools, and your certificate of completion – all for a one time investment.

Beyond the Service Course

$197 $47
  • Self-paced learning — complete on your schedule
  • Downloadable workbook
  • Certificate of completion
  • Designed specifically for funeral professionals
  • Real-world grief communication training
Enroll Now

Meet Your Grief Companion & Educator

Terri Chaplin brings warmth, wisdom, and years of experience to this transformational journey. As a certified Grief Companion & Educator, she has gently walked alongside hundreds of people in the depths of sorrow, helping them find their footing again through understanding, compassion, and lived experience.

Her work is about holding space gently and patiently, without judgment. She witnesses grief in all its rawness and stays present with it, honoring each person's pain as sacred and deeply personal. Her methods are grounded in deep listening and simple, meaningful tools that meet each person right where they are. She creates space for healing to unfold naturally, in the way that feels right for each heart she serves.

6+ years as a compassionate companion
3600+ courageous clients served
Certified Grief Companion
VIP Premier Accredited Course Provider
Certified Heartmath Mentor
International Best-Selling Author
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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before enrolling - from who this course is for to what you'll receive upon completion.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for funeral professionals. This course will equip you to respond with compassion, clarity, and care.

Do I need a clinical or mental health background to take this course?

No. This course is intentionally designed to be accessible to all funeral professionals. You’ll receive a strong foundation in grief-informed language, concepts, and support strategies that can be adapted to your unique role.

How long will the course take to complete?

The course is self-paced, and most learners complete it in about 4 to 6 hours. You can move through it as quickly or slowly as you’d like, revisit lessons at any time, and fit it into your schedule with ease.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes! Upon completing the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion that you can download, print, or share with your employer or professional network. While this course does not offer CEUs, the certificate can be used as proof of training for many employers and organizations.

Does this course offer CEUs or continuing education credits?

Not at this time. This course is designed for professional development and personal growth, and it includes a certificate of completion, but it does not currently offer CEU credits.

Can I use this training in my organization or team?

Absolutely. Many organizations use this course as part of their internal training for staff and volunteers. If you’re interested in group access or bulk enrollment, reach out for special pricing and options.

What if I have questions during the course?

You’re not alone! You can reach out with questions anytime, we’re happy to support you. 

Do I gain lifetime access to the course?

Yes. Your enrollment includes lifetime access to all course materials, including future updates. You can revisit lessons whenever you need them.