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 Words From

• than·a·to·log·i·cal [than-, uh, -tl-, oj, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
• thana·tolo·gist 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

“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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From 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.

From 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.

From US News

I was still in college when I read a magazine article about music thanatology and decided that it met my life goals at the time: to be a creative person and to save the world.

From New York Times