Two ways Willow Workshops Generate Income

For many people drawn to end-of-life work, money can feel complicated. You care deeply about the impact, you want to be of real service, and you also need your work to support your life. The good news is that these can exist together.

When this work is structured well, income becomes a natural extension of the value you’re offering. Here’s what that can look like in practice.

Two ways this work generates income

1. Leading workshops

This is often the most immediate and scalable. And there are many ways to do this. 

You can:

• Offer your own public workshops and set your fees.
• Run small group experiences in homes or community spaces.
• Create series, retreats, or themed events.
• Be invited to speak or teach in existing programs.

Some Willow EOL Educators® earn directly from participants. Others are paid by organizations so attendees can come for free.

2. Working with individuals and families

Willow Workshops® often lead here. Someone attends, connects with you, and then wants help going deeper or getting things in place. You can also use the workshops as an opportunity to promote your specific services. That may include facilitating meaningful conversations, grief coaching, celebrant work, end-of-life vigiling, home decluttering or others.

This becomes steady, relationship-based work.

How people get paid for workshops

There are two main approaches to getting paid to lead Willow Workshops®. 

Participants pay you directly

• You promote and host the workshop.
• Income grows with attendance.

And here's a quick trick that I used when I was just starting out. When I promoted the workshops, I told my prospects that there was no set fee, and that they could pay what they wish at the end, based on their perceived value. (I had in mind at the time for $50/person, per workshop.) And guess what? After the 4-workshop series, my clients did pay an average of $200 each. 

An organization pays you

• A hospice, cemetery, community group, or association brings you in.
• You’re paid a set fee.
• Participants attend at low cost or no cost.

Both approaches happen regularly, and many people use a mix of the two.

Real examples include:

• Small weekend workshop series can generate a few thousand dollars
• Full-day sponsored workshops paying $1,500 to $3,500
• Free community events that lead to ongoing client work

Setting Fees

In the Willow EOL Educator® Program, it’s up to you to decide what to charge. It will depend on:

• Your current goals
• Who your audience is and what they can afford
• Whether a sponsor is involved
• How much time you’re putting in
• Whether you’re including additional services

Some people charge premium rates, while other offer a sliding scale. Some combine paid work with accessible offerings.

A Shift that Matters

Many people hesitate to charge for this work. At the same time, there are many roles involved in end-of-life care and planning that are paid: doctors, lawyers, funeral providers, financial planners, caregivers. Just like them, when someone pays you, it reflects the value of what you are offering and the client's willingness to engage with it.

And perhaps most importantly, when your work is financially supported, you can continue offering it and reach more people.