Grief Dolls: A Comforting Tool After Loss

Following a devastating miscarriage in March 2025, 19-year-old Evelyn Roth found an unexpected source of comfort in lifelike reborn dolls. Advised by her therapist, Roth and her boyfriend Logan, also 19, have embraced parenting two such dolls, which cost approximately $430 (£315) each.

These meticulously crafted dolls are designed to replicate real babies, weighing around 2.5kg and featuring hand-painted complexions. Holding these weighted figures provides a calming sensation, helping Roth to process her grief and feel less of the profound loss she experienced.

Roth, from Wisconsin, USA, shares that the dolls' realism often surprises people when she takes them out in a stroller. While some find the practice unusual, others are fascinated by the artistry involved. She initially became interested in reborn dolls years prior due to their lifelike appearance.

She cherishes dressing her dolls, Anadaya and another whose name she frequently changes, in various outfits, having spent about $150 (£110) on second-hand clothes. Roth emphasizes that while the dolls are a vital tool for coping, they are not a substitute for real children, and an unhealthy attachment should be avoided.

Roth acknowledges that her use of the dolls is a phase in her healing journey and anticipates passing them on to another grieving parent once she no longer needs them, potentially after having her own children. For those experiencing similar trauma, she recommends reborn dolls as a therapeutic aid, provided they are used mindfully.