Handbook of the Sociology of Death, Grief, and Bereavement: A Guide to Theory and Practice

The Handbook of the Sociology of Death, Grief, and Bereavement sets issues of death and dying in a broad and holistic social context. Its three parts explore classical sociology, developments in sociological thought, and the ways that sociological insights can be useful across a broad spectrum of grief-related topics and concerns. Guidance is given in each chapter to help spur readers to examine other topics in thanatology through a sociological lens. Scholars, students, and professionals will come away from the handbook with a nuanced understanding of the social context –cultural differences, power relations, the role of social processes and institutions, and various other sociological factors – that shape grief experiences.

Table of Contents:
Contents Foreword – Dr. Bob Bendiksen, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Preface Acknowledgements The editors The contributors Introduction PART ONE Sociological Foundations Introduction to Part One Emile Durkheim Michael Brennan, England, UK Max Weber Jodie Croxall, Wales, UK and Michael Brennan, England, UK Marxism Neil Thompson, Wales, UK George Herbert Mead Gerry R. Cox, USA Erving Goffman Gerry R. Cox, USA Women’s Contributions to Classical Sociology June Allan, Australia PART TWO Sociological Developments Introduction to Part Two Michel Foucault Neil Thompson and Eryl Owen, Wales, UK Pierre Bourdieu Neil Small, England, UK Existentialism Neil Thompson, Wales, UK Continuing Bonds Dennis Klass, USA An Egalitarian Perspective Darcy Harris, Canada Disenfranchised Grief Neil Thompson, Wales, UK and Kenneth Doka, USA PART THREE Contemporary Issues and Debates Introduction to Part Three Dark Tourism Erin Dermody, Canada Aging and Ageism Sue Thompson, Wales, UK Alcohol and Other Drug Use Wulf Livingston, Wales, UK Culturally Competent Practice Neil Thompson, Wales, UK Toward a Sociology of Terrorism Gerry R. Cox, USA and Neil Thompson, Wales, UK Is Grief a Disease? The Medicalization of Grief by the Psy-Disciplines in the 21st Century Leeat Granek, Israel Being-in-the-World of the Sociological Imagination: Understanding Living with and Beyond Cancer Jan Pascal and Olivia Sagan, England, UK Death, Grief, and Virtual Connections: The Role of Social Media for Social Support and Memorialization Kathleen R. Gilbert, USA Infertility and Loss: Conception and Motherhood in the Era of Assisted Reproductive Technology Iris Po Yee Lo and Celia Hoi Yan Chan The Demise of Accountability in Public Services: A Dilemma Exemplified by the Hidden Sepsis Crisis Paul Stepney, Finland The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Grieving Neil Thompson, Wales, UK A Cultural Sociological Review of Chinese Funeral Rituals Sharon Chan and Amy Chow, Hong Kong, China Afterword – Dr. Inge Corless, USA Index

About the Author :
Neil Thompson, PhD, DLitt, is a writer and online tutor and a visiting professor at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, Wales, where he teaches on the MSc Advanced Practice in the Human Services. Gerry R. Cox, PhD, is professor emeritus of sociology/archaeology and former director of the Center for Death Education and Bioethics at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

Review :
"A fascinating and important departure from conventional thinking on death, grief, and bereavement, this collection of essays extends our understanding via a sociological lens, opening up for inspection issues such as culture, gender, and place. As such, this book is a magnificent tour de force in its scope and depth, embedding a fresh disciplinary analysis to this field of study." – Professor Charlotte Williams, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia "This is an astoundingly valuable book that combines a depth of knowledge and insight with genuine accessibility for readers who may be exploring these issues for the first time. Its international scope and the broad range of topics make it a must read for academics, researchers, practitioners, and students. Expertly edited by two internationally respected authors, this book not only fills many gaps in the existing literature: it opens up new and thought-provoking areas of debate." – Bernard Moss, Emeritus Professor, Staffordshire University, England "An innovative, insightful, comparative and compelling handbook on issues associated with death, grief and bereavement grounded through sociological intersections. This handbook is a leader in its field and deserves to be widely cited given its authenticity and impact."– Professor Jason Powell, University of Chester, England