The rise of death doulas

This episode of Today Explained explores the growing cultural and professional phenomenon of death doulas—individuals who provide emotional, logistical, and spiritual support to people nearing the end of life and their families. Featuring insights from Vox’s Anna North and firsthand testimony from Jane K. Callahan, a death doula in Durham, North Carolina, the episode examines how the role of death doulas has evolved from informal community care to a recognized (though unlicensed) profession. The rise in interest, fueled by the pandemic, celebrity endorsements like Nicole Kidman and Chloe Zhao, and broader conversations around death positivity, reflects a societal shift toward confronting mortality with more openness and intention. Callahan shares her personal journey—triggered by the traumatic loss of her mother—and explains how death doulas help families navigate complex medical systems, create personalized end-of-life plans, and preserve dignity during the dying process. The episode also grapples with ethical questions about professionalization, the commodification of care, and the emotional labor involved in sitting with grief. Key takeaways include the importance of advance planning for death, the critical gap between medical care and end-of-life support, the value of emotional presence over clinical efficiency, and the transformative power of normalizing conversations about death. The death positive movement encourages people to think ahead—not to be excited about dying, but to reduce fear and chaos by preparing for the inevitable. The episode concludes with a poignant reflection on how proximity to death can deepen appreciation for life, as Callahan notes that being comfortable with discomfort has made her more present and grateful in daily living.