Record number of volunteers for end-of-life vigils but demand still outstrips supply

A record number of Danes have signed up to volunteer as vågere—trained companions who sit with the dying in their final hours—but demand continues to exceed capacity, according to new figures from the Danish Elderly Association (Ældresagen) and the Red Cross.

In 2025, the two organisations reported 2,851 active volunteers who provided companionship to 3,245 dying individuals. Yet in 214 cases, requests for a vigil went unfulfilled due to a shortage of available volunteers, DR reports.

“It hurts to say no”
Aasa Petersen, a vigil coordinator for Ældresagen in Haderslev, described the difficulty of turning down requests, particularly when the dying person is alone at home.
“It pains me when we can’t cover a shift,” she said. “I often end up taking the vigil myself because I can’t bear the thought of someone lying alone.”

Asta Rubæk Eidemak, a consultant with Ældresagen, acknowledged the growing challenge: “We’ve succeeded in raising awareness and attracting many volunteers, but unfortunately, we still have to decline requests when demand peaks.”

Volunteers fill gaps in strained elderly care
A new study by the Danish Centre for Social Science Research (VIVE) found that many volunteers are drawn to vigil services due to pressures on professional elderly care, where staff and relatives often lack time to be present with the dying. The report highlights the role of volunteers in providing informal, complementary care and calls for further research into collaboration between volunteers, families, and healthcare professionals.