FUNS 127 - Funeral Service Thanatology

Credits: 3

Description
Thanatology is defined as “the scientific study of death and the practices associated with it.” This course will give the student an overview of the psychology of death, grief, and mourning. In addition, we will explore changing social attitudes and how those impact the grief process and the funeral service industry as a whole. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of the funeral director as a grief counselor and the limitations of that role.

Student Learning Outcomes

Define psychological terms relating to death, grief, and other related terminology.
Recognize funeral counseling opportunities, limitations and when to make referrals.
Explain the role of psychology as applied by the funeral service director.
Discuss how social attitudes toward death and the funeral have changed throughout history to reflect the modern era.
Differentiate between different cultural norms in relation to death, grief, and mourning.
Use ethical reasoning to justify a funeral director goal of turning a profit against the psychological and financial welfare of the family.
Compare and contrast a funeral director’s role when acting as a service provider and caregiver versus a grief counselor.

Prerequisite: Instructor permission
Corequisite: None

Graded: Letter Grade