Nicole Kidman is training as a death doula but what does that actually mean

The actor shared how grief shaped interest in end of life care and why she is now exploring the role professionally

Nicole Kidman has revealed that she is training to become a death doula, a role focused on supporting people through the end of life process, following a deeply personal experience with bereavement.

Speaking during a talk at the University of San Francisco as part of the Silk Speaker Series, the Oscar winning actor explained that the decision was influenced by the death of her mother, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 84. Kidman described witnessing her mother’s final days as emotionally complex and isolating for the family, and said it prompted her to think more broadly about how people are supported at the end of life.

She admitted the idea initially sounded unusual even to her. However, she said the experience highlighted what she felt was missing in many families facing similar circumstances.

A death doula is not a medical professional. Instead, the role involves offering emotional, psychological, spiritual and practical support to individuals who are dying and to their families. According to the International End of Life Doula Association, these caregivers may assist with companionship, legacy work, planning conversations and creating a calmer environment around death and grief.

Kidman told the audience that when her mother was dying, she felt there were limits to what family members could provide, especially as they balanced work and childcare responsibilities. She described wishing there had been someone impartial to sit with her mother, offer presence and provide comfort in her final moments.

She said this reflection became part of what she called a personal expansion, and that learning more about end of life care was now something she intended to pursue alongside her acting career.

The actor also noted that her father died in 2014 following a fall, adding further emotional context to her interest in mortality and care systems.

Kidman, known for recent projects including Scarpetta and Margo’s Got Money Troubles, with Practical Magic 2 due for release later this year, is among a small number of high profile figures showing interest in the role. Filmmaker Chloe Zhao has also previously spoken about training as a death doula, saying it helped her confront her own fears around death.

The growing visibility of the role reflects increasing public awareness of end of life support beyond medical treatment, particularly in Western countries where discussions about death have often been considered difficult or private.

Kidman said she recognises the subject may seem unexpected coming from a working actor, but described it as a meaningful direction in her life outside the screen.