Thanatology: Interdisciplinary Study of Death, Dying & Bereavement

Thanatology (Gk. thanatos = death, -logia = study) examines:

• Biological dying process
• Psychological & emotional impact on individuals/families
• Social, cultural, ritual practices around death
• Ethical issues (euthanasia, advance directives, organ donation)
• Grief counseling, palliative care, hospice models

Draws from medicine, psychology, sociology, anthropology, theology, ethics. Growing field due to aging populations and end-of-life policy debates.