INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL GRIEF COACHING | IOPGC
Dora Carpenter says, "Grief doesn't have to be dark."
Grief is a universal experience and no individual or organization is exempt from its profound impact. We are forging a future where compassion and growth intertwine, guiding us from grief to gratitude and beyond.
IOPGC is a Proud International Coaching Federation (ICF) Coaching Education Accredited Provider
The Institute of Professional Grief Coaching (IOPGC) is a pioneering organization dedicated to transforming the way individuals and professionals understand, navigate, and coach others through grief. Established as a beacon of hope and empowerment, the IOPGC offers cutting-edge programs and resources that bridge the gap between loss and renewal, fostering an environment where grief is not just a process to endure but an opportunity to grow. ​At its core, the IOPGC is more than an educational institution. It is a movement that empowers people to view grief as an integral part of the human experience—a journey that, while deeply challenging, offers opportunities for personal insight and transformation.
Mission Statement
The IOPGC is committed to equipping individuals, professionals, and organizations with a heart-centered, non-therapeutic approach to navigating grief. Our mission is to transform the experience of grief into a journey of empowerment and gratitude, fostering self-discovery, growth, and renewed purpose. Our programs guide individuals on a transformative journey from pain to peace, heartbreak to happiness, and grief to gratitude.
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Our Philosophy
Grief is universal yet deeply personal. It does not adhere to a timetable, nor does it follow a linear path. At the IOPGC, we believe that grief is a multifaceted experience that, when met with compassion and skillful support, can lead to profound transformation. Our philosophy emphasizes:
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Understanding Grief as a Process: Grief is not a problem to solve or fix, but a process to experience. It involves acknowledging pain, honoring loss, and embracing the hope of renewal.
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Empowering Through Coaching: Coaching differs from counseling or therapy. It is future-focused, action-oriented, and grounded in the belief that individuals possess the inner resources to move forward, even in the face of profound loss.
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Fostering Gratitude: By shifting perspectives, individuals can uncover gratitude in their experiences, helping them find purpose and meaning even amidst pain.​
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Grief Coach Certification
Platinum Program
ICF-Accredited Program
Dora Carpenter’s Signature Experience. This premium, eight-week program—facilitated live via Zoom—offers an immersive and highly interactive learning environment. Designed for those who value personalized guidance, the Platinum Program includes the exclusive Intern-While-You-Learn component. Limited class sizes foster a close-knit, supportive cohort where participants learn, grow, share, and, at times, shed tears together.
Grief Coach Certification
Gold Program
ICF-Accredited Program
Flexible Hybrid Model with Personalized Support. The Gold Program combines the convenience of self-paced learning with the added value of three private coaching calls. Along with all the features of the Silver Program, you’ll benefit from one-on-one sessions tailored to your unique questions, challenges, and goals—ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.
Grief Coach Certification
Silver Program
ICF-Accredited Program
Comprehensive Self-Directed Online Learning. The Silver Program is a fully online, self-paced course designed for independent learners. It includes engaging video lessons, text and audio resources, a downloadable workbook, and a robust toolkit to support your journey. You have 365 days to complete the program, and certification requires a minimum score of 80% on the pre-certification assessment.
Workplace Grief Coach Certification
ICF-Accredited Program
Grief doesn’t clock out when employees clock in. Designed for leaders, HR professionals, and coaches, this fully online program equips you to address grief in the workplace—where life’s hardest moments can quietly impact morale, productivity, and team dynamics. You have 365 days to complete the program, and certification requires a minimum score of 80% on the pre-certification assessment.
For Death Care Professionals
Funeral Directors. Cemetery Professionals. Products and Services Providers. The My Grief Coach® Care Program is a grief wellness care program designed exclusively for funeral directors, cemetery professionals, and all who support families through end-of-life, death care, and memorialization. The death care profession is a calling. You show up. You care. You serve. You often mask your own personal challenges—but your grief matters because those who care for grieving families deserve compassionate support too.
GRIEF TV | IOPGC
A Groundbreaking Platform for Navigating Grief. GRIEF TV | IOPGC features empowering programming from our certified grief coaches, including expert conversations, grief-related education, mini-series, and real, raw, and resilient stories of loss, love, and life after. This community-driven content explores the many faces of grief and the transformative power of resilience. This no-cost programming is available 24/7 on The Roku Channel. No Roku? No problem. Access on grief.tv.
Udemy Courses by Dora Carpenter
Learn at your own pace with Dora Carpenter’s grief-focused courses on Udemy. Each course blends compassionate guidance, practical tools, and reflective exercises—designed to help you navigate loss, build resilience, and embrace life beyond grief. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or professional development, these courses offer accessible, affordable learning from anywhere in the world.​
Books by Dora Carpenter
Wisdom Nuggets By Dora is a heartfelt series offering compassionate insights on navigating life’s most challenging moments, especially those related to grief and loss. Drawing on decades of experience as a grief coach, author, and mentor—and known as the “Petite Pages Author”—Dora delivers short yet powerful reflections that serve as guiding lights for anyone seeking comfort, understanding, and resilience.
Decide to Say Yes Toolkit by Dora Carpenter
Not only is Dora Carpenter a Certified Professional Coach and Founder of the Institute of Professional Grief Coaching (IOPGC), she is also a Certified Law of Attraction Basic Practitioner. Dora attributes much of her personal and professional success to manifestation and the Law of Attraction. The Decide to Say Yes Manifestation Toolkit introduces you to the art of manifestation and guides you toward creating the life you truly desire.
Our Founder: Dora Carpenter
The heart of the IOPGC is its founder, Dora Carpenter, a trailblazer in grief coaching who has dedicated her life to transforming how people navigate loss. Respected as a trusted voice in the field of grief coaching, she is a certified professional coach, author, and speaker who believes in the power of vulnerability, empathy, and hope.
Author and Innovator
Dora’s extensive portfolio of books, programs, and courses highlights her ability to translate complex emotions into accessible, transformative insights. Her work resonates with a wide audience, making her a sought-after authority in grief and personal development. Her book, Grief Talk Revolution: It’s Time to Talk About the Elephant in the Room has been endorsed by Jack Canfield, best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
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Visionary Leader
Under Dora’s leadership, the IOPGC has become synonymous with excellence in grief coaching. Her innovative programs are designed to empower both coaches and clients, creating a ripple effect of healing and transformation.
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Why Choose the IOPGC?​
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Accreditation and Credibility:
As an ICF-accredited grief coach certification program, the From Grief to Gratitude Coach Certification Program ensures that IOPGC meets the highest professional standards. -
Comprehensive Approach:
Our programs address the emotional, practical, and cultural dimensions of grief, offering a non-therapeutic, heart-centered path to healing. -
Personalized Support:
Whether you are a coach seeking grief coach certification or an individual looking for solace, the IOPGC provides tailored resources and compassionate guidance. -
Community and Connection:
Becoming part of the From Grief to Gratitude Community means joining a supportive community of like-minded professionals and individuals who share a commitment to grief coaching support and growth. -
Commitment to Innovation:
From mini courses to corporate workshops, the IOPGC continually develops new ways to address the evolving needs of those navigating grief.
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Looking Ahead
As the IOPGC celebrates eight years of empowering individuals and professionals, it remains steadfast in its vision to revolutionize the way grief is understood and addressed. Future initiatives include expanded online courses, deeper corporate partnerships, and the ongoing development of tools that support personal and professional growth.
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The Institute of Professional Grief Coaching invites you to be part of this transformative journey. Whether you are seeking to make a difference in others' lives or navigate your own loss, the IOPGC stands as a partner in navigating the journey of loss and cultivating a life of meaning, purpose, and growth.
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