Talk:Thanatology

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	To-do list for Thanatology:	edit  · history  · watch  · refresh
Add a "Techniques" section, describing specific recommended therapies to ease the dying process, both for the dying and for his or her family. Build the web: Link to this article from appropriate related articles. See: what links here.

[edit] Family

And what about a desseaced person's family... is there a good way for keep them in a good mental situation? I think that the dead doesn't need a solution, but his or her family need it. What do you think about? Anticipate thanks for your response. [200.67.150.165, 17:42, 17 Sep 2004]

Well, I've rewritten the article, so this may partially answer your question. I'm not familiar with specific therapies and techniques to help out the deceased's family, so I'm adding it to the to-do list for now. I may eventually research these techniques, though it's not my area of expertise — any nurses, vets, psychiatrists, or anyone else who knows a thing or two about thanatology is particularly welcome to add to the article. :-) • Benc • 08:16, 30 Sep 2004 (UTC)

[edit] mortuary science and technology

mortuary scientists and funeral directors deal with thanatology in the sense that they are the once who prepare the bodies for their final rest. While the work of a practical thanatologist involves many techniques medical personnel perform, e.g. restoring facial features, dehydrating bodies with edema etc, they do not consider themselves medical personnel for it is not their goal to save a life, but to prepare the body so that it can be positively viewed by the bereaved. It is of great concern to them how the viewing influences their mourning process.

"Alternately, a terminally ill individual who believes that suicide is a sin may be wracked with guilt. On one hand, he may wish to end the suffering, but on the other hand, he may believe that he will be sent to hell for eternity unless he dies naturally, however long and painful that may be."

I'm no expert on the topic, but having a basic knowledge on modern Christian (at least Protestant) doctrine, people choose not to end their lives in a terminal situation for religious reasons other than the belief that they will go to hell if they do so. The article implies that all religions that oppose euthenasia also believe that suicides are condemned to hell, which is not true in all cases.

It would be nice if this could be acknowledged in the article, but having never directly studied thanatology myself, I feel unqualified to do so unilaterally.