Presents the study of death and dying that truly crosses disciplinary boundaries. This work takes an interdisciplinary approach and covers a range of materials. It includes classic studies that have helped frame the field, and research that has influenced the development of the field. It brings together theory, research and clinical practice.

Volume I: The Human Encounter with Death Part 1: The Death System Part 2: Death—Historical Perspectives Part 3: Death in Philosophy and Religion Part 4: Death in Music, Art and Literature Part 5: The Emergence of Death Studies Volume II: Developmental Perspectives Part 1: Children’s Understanding of Death Part 2: Adolescent Experiences with Death Part 3: Adult Perspectives on Death Part 4: Death in Later Life Volume III: Illness, Dying and Death Part 1: Coping with Life-Threatening Illness and Death Part 2: Care of the Dying: Hospice and Palliative Care as International Social Movements, Ethics of Assisted Suicide Part 3: Modes of Death Part 4: Care for the Caregivers Volume IV: Loss and Grief Part 1: Funerals, Memorials and Rituals Part 2: Understanding Grief and Loss—Early Perspectives Part 3: Challenging the Paradigm—New Understandings of Grief