noun
- the scientific study of death and dying, including the psychological and social aspects
Usage: academic; medical
Examples
- She earned her doctorate in thanatology to help families cope with loss.
- The hospital’s thanatology program trains staff to support dying patients.
- His research in thanatology focuses on grief counseling techniques.
- The thanatology course covers both medical and psychological aspects of death.
- Many hospice workers study thanatology to better understand the dying process.
- The thanatology department published new findings on end-of-life care.