noun. The study of death and dying, especially in their psychological and social aspects.

noun. The doctrine of death; a discourse on death.

noun. A description, or the doctrine, of death.

noun. The study of human aspects of death and the associated grief and rituals.

noun. the branch of science that studies death (especially its social and psychological aspects)

"'thanatology', haven't see that word used since Heinlein died, which is what will happen to all of us if we don't get it together folks!"

science  scientific discipline  

cosmology  necrology  opthalmology  rheology  scatology