What is the Meaning & Definition of thanatology

Death is a natural phenomenon, however, death also produe since suffering the finitude of human existence, contrasting with the desire for eternity that exists in the human heart. Life and death are two sides of the same coin, two realities separated by a very thin line.

Thanatology comprises the study of death, trying to help this process along

Death form part of the life of a human being as a sign the angst that a person can experience into an existential crisis, doubts that they arise around what can be after death (if exists life after or nothing), suffering arising from the loss of a loved one, death as an unpredictable event occurring in the most unexpected time.
Science provides knowledge. The science that studies the death as phenomenon is thanatology which is intended to address different areas. In particular, the thanatology focuses on bringing quality of life to the terminally ill and promotes the rights of a dignified death. Thanatology deals with different aspects.

The role of thanatology in pursuit of the quality of life of terminally ill patients

Beyond that the disease is a physical process, the reality is that there is also an emotional backdrop behind a painful medical diagnosis. The death raises a lot of feelings on the emotional level. Of course, also it gets special attention in the physical pain in order to minimize the discomfort that the patient may experience with the aim of providing a better quality of life.
In addition, personal relationships are also very important in the last stage of life. For example, a person who suffers from a terminal illness can say goodbye to all those who are important to him. Thus, the thanatology also shows the relational aspect of the patient.

From a spiritual and legal perspective

On the spiritual level, it is also possible to offer advice to the patient in the form of support and comfort. On the other hand, the thanatology may also refer to the last wills of a person from the legal point of view.
On the other hand, the death of a person also affects their loved ones who must make the grief process to assimilate the loss and heal the wounds. A process that is long and expensive when it comes to a very close relationship. The acceptance of death, is a big step in personal freedom, however, this step is difficult.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.