thanatology

[than-uh-tol-uh-jee]

noun

1. the study of death and its surrounding circumstances, as in forensic medicine.

2. Psychiatry.,  the study of the effects of death and dying, especially the investigation of ways to lessen the suffering and address the needs of the terminally ill and their survivors.

thanatology

/ ˌθænəˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the scientific study of death and the phenomena and practices relating to it

Other Word Forms

• thanatological adjective
• thanatologist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of thanatology¹

First recorded in 1835–45; thanato- + -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of thanatology¹

C19: from Greek thanatos death + _-logy

Example Sentences

Dr Sam Murphy, senior lecturer at the Open University, specialises in thanatology, the study of death and the practices associated with it.

Read more on BBC

“We are in for a death boom, we are in for a dementia boom,” said Florian, a fellow in thanatology, the study of death and bereavement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His mother, who specialized in thanatology, retired as a therapist in private practice in Vancouver.

Read more on New York Times

For almost 20 years, I’ve talked about music thanatology with friends, family and strangers in elevators who ask about my harp.

Read more on New York Times

She also uses her background in thanatology – the scientific study of death, dying and bereavement – to educate participants about ​death and normalize their experiences.

Read more on US News