What death doulas can teach us about dying well without religion [View all]

[erronis]

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-death-doulas-dying-religion.html

In most Western societies, death has always been the church's job. Nearly everyone wanted last rites, deathbed prayers and a faith leader at their bedside. But for a growing number of people, that template for dying is no longer the only option. The death doula, a different kind of caregiver, is increasingly entering the scene.

Some might have seen a death doula on the latest season of HBO's medical drama "The Pitt." Others may have recently heard Australian actress Nicole Kidman announce that she is training to become one.

So what exactly is a death doula (sometimes also called an end-of-life doula, soul midwife or compassionate companion)? Much like a birth doula--a trained, nonmedical professional who provides support to a person during childbirth--they help guide a person through life's final chapter.

As researchers in the sociology of religion, we study the changing landscape of death. With religious affiliation showing a sharp decline--in 1985, 90% of Canadians identified as religious, while in 2019, this had fallen to 68%--many people look to do death differently.

. . .

For me, anything but a "religious" person, please.