Routledge Handbook of the Sociology of Death, Grief, and Bereavement: A Guide to Theory and Practice

The Handbook of the Sociology of Death, Grief, and Bereavement sets issues of death and dying in a broad and holistic social context. Its three parts explore classical sociology, developments in sociological thought, and the ways that sociological insights can be useful across a broad spectrum of grief-related topics and concerns. Guidance is given in each chapter to help spur readers to examine other topics in thanatology through a sociological lens. Scholars, students, and professionals will come away from the handbook with a nuanced understanding of the social context –cultural differences, power relations, the role of social processes and institutions, and various other sociological factors – that shape grief experiences. Review "A fascinating and important departure from conventional thinking on death, grief, and bereavement, this collection of essays extends our understanding via a sociological lens, opening up for inspection issues such as culture, gender, and place. As such, this book is a magnificent tour de force in its scope and depth, embedding a fresh disciplinary analysis to this field of study." – Professor Charlotte Williams, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia "This is an astoundingly valuable book that combines a depth of knowledge and insight with genuine accessibility for readers who may be exploring these issues for the first time. Its international scope and the broad range of topics make it a must read for academics, researchers, practitioners, and students. Expertly edited by two internationally respected authors, this book not only fills many gaps in the existing literature: it opens up new and thought-provoking areas of debate." – Bernard Moss, Emeritus Professor, Staffordshire University, England "An innovative, insightful, comparative and compelling handbook on issues associated with death, grief and bereavement grounded through sociological intersections. This handbook is a leader in its field and deserves to be widely cited given its authenticity and impact."– Professor Jason Powell, University of Chester, England About the Author Neil Thompson, PhD, DLitt, is a writer and online tutor and a visiting professor at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, Wales, where he teaches on the MSc Advanced Practice in the Human Services. Gerry R. Cox, PhD, is professor emeritus of sociology/archaeology and former director of the Center for Death Education and Bioethics at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.