Susan Srigley, Ph.D., is a professor of Religions and Cultures at Nipissing University where she teaches courses on death, dying and spirituality. Susan is a death doula, and has been a palliative care volunteer for the past 20 years. She is an advocate for death education and mentors new palliative care volunteers and offers workshops at her local hospice. In this interview with April Neault, Susan talks about her experiences as an end-of-life companion and about society’s fearsome attitude towards death – a process as natural, though far less celebrated, as birth – among other things.
Enjoy, and thank you as always for staying tuned to feminist community powered radio XX
Re the death doula: Each to her or his own and I wouldn’t say that no one would appreciate this woman’s approach, but I for one would see her to the door quietly and mourn and celebrate my loved one’s life without her counseling. Changes need to be made in our corporatized system of death, but at this late date, can an intervention in family life in America that is known for them really help? I cringe listening to her. Is she really better than the alternative or just another cause of trauma?