Scientific knowledge on how we die, death and how we as humans respond to the inevitability of our mortality and the reality of loss is all a part of Thanatology. The way we learn this is through scientific and/or academic study. The field of Thanatology is considered broad, and it is commonly shaped by the particular interests or professional occupations of the individuals who engage in studying Thanatology. People who have studied a social science, such as a degree in psychology, cultural history or archaeology, tend to study Thanatology to gain a more in-depth understanding of the rituals, ceremonies and rites of human beings and the ways in which we honor our loved ones who have passed to the other side. In this article we discuss a bit more about what the study is and how to get into it.
Definition of Thanatology
Thanatology derives from the Greek language and is the scientific study of death and the losses that come up after the incident. The investigation of the mechanisms and forensic aspects that come with death, for example, how the body changes following death and the period during post-mortem, plus the wider social and psychological aspects that are related to death are also included in this field of scientific study. Thanatology is primarily classed as an interdisciplinary study that is offered as a course of study at a number of universities and colleges.
People Who Go into Thanatology
When it comes to studying Thanatology, there is no single or standard course of action to complete the relevant amount of study required. As mentioned previously, dying, death and the way human beings deal with it and how they find a way to cope with the reality of their loss are things that can be seen from a very wide range of different viewpoints. In general, those who desire to learn or gain a better understanding of the reality of death from a psychological, sociological and physical points of view, will choose to go into a Thanatology related profession, including grief counsellor, coroner, archaeologist and embalmer.
Ways to Get into Thanatology
You will need some qualifications before working in Thanatology. Due to Thanatology having such a broad spectrum/scope, it means that there are many institutions and colleges that offer a way into this field. Luckily for you, if going away for higher education isn’t an option, then you can take part in an online Thanatology degree. Doing an online Thanatology degree has many advantages. Some of these advantages of online study include low debt and costs, the schedule and environment that you work in will be flexible, and you will learn the art of self-discipline.
With the right education, experience and frame of mind, Thanatology can be a very informative and interesting field of work to get into. It can be a rewarding job that exists to help all people with loss. Everyone will have a different feeling towards death, so you will need to learn how to communicate effectively with people. There are many options when it comes to finding ways to get into Thanatology, which makes it ideal for people of all ages and backgrounds.
