“Doula” is a word derived from a Greek term meaning “women who serve.” Arthur says her services as a death doula extend from young people to whole families to even her own father. The most interesting version of the story is also the true one. This is how Alua Arthur reflects on the life-altering series of events that led her to become a death doula. She was burned out in her career as a lawyer in Los Angeles and so took a trip to Cuba as respite. On an errand one day, she narrowly missed getting hit by a car; then, later the same day, she found herself deep in conversation on a This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty-Eight Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Fashion Issue 38 Needle Work In Seoul, the ancient art of tattoo is thrown into sharp relief. Arts & Culture Issue 38 Abby Stein Unorthodox author Deborah Feldman meets Rabbi Abby Stein. Arts & Culture Issue 38 NEW RITUALS Ritual Design Lab suggests new rituals to mark the petty losses and small triumphs that pass without ceremony. Arts & Culture Issue 38 SHEDDING SKIN In her series Shedding Skin, photographer Yumna Al-Arashi offers an intimate insight into communal hammam traditions. Arts & Culture Issue 38 Essay: On Witchcraft Rebecca Liu meets a new generation of “baby witches” finding strength in the supernatural. Arts & Culture Issue 38 It’s All Greek Stephanie d’Arc Taylor considers the role of ritual in shaping America's strained Greek system.
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