How thanatology is driving hospice care innovation

How thanatology is driving hospice care innovation 
Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 6/13/25 
Thanatologists examining dying and grief practices have uncovered significant trends shaping hospice and bereavement care models in recent years. Thanatology is derived from the Greek word for death, “thanatos.” It is commonly described as the study or description of death, dying and loss and the psychological, social, cultural, biological and spiritual aspects of these processes. 
Editor's Note: A significant addition to this thanatology article for you to know is ADEC, the Association for Death Education and Counseling: The Thanatology Association, at www.adec.org, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. This article describes thanatology as "recent years" and that "several studies have examined examined aspects of the dying process ..." Thanatology--and ADEC's contributions to our end-of-life care field--are much more than "recent," "several studies," and "aspects." ADEC emerged within the same era as Kübler-Ross's first book and the first hospices in the US, years before the Hospice Medicare Benefit. ADEC's thanatology ground-breaking leaders and members include thousands of national and international researchers, editors/authors, academicians, and clinicians throughout the evolution of our end-of-life care field, e.g., William Worden (founding member), Ken Doka (past president), Robert Neimeyer (past president), and so many more. When you see the "FT" or "CT" credential, know that this person has earned the advanced professional credential "Fellow in Thanatology" or "Certified in Thanatology." Recognize the professionals in your organization with these important thanatology credentials. Support your professionals who seek it.