Thanatology (death studies)

Research expertise in the study of death and the practices associated with it, including the study of the needs of the bereaved and the terminally ill.

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Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS) is home to internationally renowned scholars in the study of death, grief and society. This area includes socio-political, cultural and anthropological explorations, as well as practices and policies associated with the care of the dying and bereavement support nationally and internationally.

Research staff work in a variety of areas, either directly or indirectly linked to this area of specialism.

Examples of the work undertaken include loss and transitions because of natural disasters, cultural conceptions and contestations of death and grief, end of life strategies, and funerary practices and their politico-economic aspects. Please see our latest research.

Our staff represent an inter-disciplinary group of scholars drawing on disciplines such as sociology, social policy, social work, community and youth studies, as well as therapeutic disciplines. 

Researchers

Partners

Highlighted projects

The Faith in Funerals Research Project

The ‘Faith in Funerals’ research project explored the fusion of religious, non-religious and spiritual resources in everyday funerals, with implications for how funeral arrangers, celebrants, and religious ministers can support people in navigating a varied range of spiritual needs when planning funerals for their loved ones.

Dying in a transhumanist and posthuman society

Exploring both the intrapersonal (moral) and interpersonal (ethical) nature of death and dying in the context of their development (philosophical).

The decolonisation of death studies

Exploring socio-historic, structural, language and disciplinary roots of death studies in the attempt to diversify evidence and knowledge in this area of specialism.

Contact us to find out more about our work: panagiotis.pentaris (@gold.ac.uk)