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Abstract Background This paper is to examine the associations between religion, bereavement and depression among nursing professionals using a cross-sectional survey design. There is little empirical evidence in Asia suggesting that religion may either increase or lower the likelihood of nursing professionals being depressed. Methods We analyzed the results of a Mental Health Survey soliciting data from 850 Hong Kong nurses (aged 21–59, 178 males) regarding their mental well-being and associated factors, including participants’ socio-economic profile and recent life-events. Multiple linear regression analyses examined associations between religion, bereavement and depression. Results Religious faith is weakly associated with lower self-reported depression in bereavement. Conclusions Our findings confirm those studies suggesting that religion positively affects mental health and yet healthcare providers have yet to assimilate this insight.