Rethinking Deathcare

The concept of dying well is evolving in Australia, moving beyond the medicalization of death to embrace family-led and personalized deathcare. Zenith Virago, founder of the Natural Death Care Centre, exemplifies this shift. After personally guiding her friend’s post-mortem care, she has trained thousands of “deathwalkers” to support families in navigating dying, death, and bereavement with practical guidance and emotional presence. Family-led funerals, where loved ones participate in washing, dressing, and preparing the body, are increasingly recognized as a way to honor the deceased and facilitate healthy grief.

This approach complements contemporary medical frameworks such as palliative care and voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Experts like palliative nurse practitioner Kate Reed emphasize that a “good death” depends less on the final moments and more on preparation, communication, and patient-centered planning. VAD, recently legalized across most Australian states, provides agency for those facing terminal illness, though access varies and legal frameworks impose strict eligibility criteria. Research shows that VAD often serves as reassurance, allowing patients to live their remaining time fully, rather than being widely used to hasten death.

Personal narratives—from families organizing intimate, creative farewells to those navigating restricted VAD access—highlight that dying well involves both honoring patient wishes and supporting the bereaved. Innovations in deathcare, such as community-led funeral services, challenge standardised, profit-driven models, fostering autonomy, emotional connection, and healthier grief outcomes. As Virago notes, engagement in the dying process and post-death rituals strengthens individual and community well-being, reframing death as a shared, meaningful life event.

Gorman, G. (2025, October 18). The rebirth of deathcare. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-19/death-funeral-deathwalker-dying-well-vad-palliative-care/105831418