Managing Death: International Perspectives

There is a huge collection of literature relating to death, grief and bereavement, but one aspect that has received relatively little attention is that of death management practices (by which we mean the various ways of managing the circumstances of the death, ritually acknowledging it and sensitively handling the disposal of the body and so on). While ways of disposing of the dead and grief practices have been thought of as based upon individual responses, grief and bereavement practices can be understood not only by looking at psychological and medical frameworks, but also by examining people as part of a complex structure of social arrangements, institutions, structures, and patterns. By examining the social and institutional structures of various groups around the world, we provide an international framework for a better understanding of the study of dying, death, and bereavement.

This book highlights the significance of these matters in an international context, reflecting common themes and important differences. It will highlight common themes across diverse cultures and national settings, while also drawing attention to significant differences. If professionals working in the field of death, grief and bereavement are not aware of such differences, their practice can be insensitive, discriminatory and therefore ineffective, if not actually counterproductive.

As such, the book provides an invaluable resource for a wide variety of professionals and students, including medicine and health care; social work; counselling and psychotherapy; chaplaincy and pastoral work; and, of course, those involved in the funeral industry. In addition, students of sociology, psychology and anthropology will find much of interest here in terms of appreciating the diversity of ways in which funerals and other death management practices are managed and integrated into social life.

Dr Cox is professor emeritus in sociology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He has had a long and distinguished career, having established himself as one of the most highly respected sociologists in the death, grief and bereavement field. He is of American Indian descent.
Dr Thompson has held full or honorary professorships at four UK universities but now works as an independent writer, educator and adviser. He is of Welsh descent.
They are both longstanding members (and former Board members) of the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement. Both have also served as former editors of the US-based international journal, Illness, Crisis & Loss.Between them, Drs Cox and Thompson have over 80 books to their names.