Course of Study
Thanatology Certificate Durham College
Introduction To Thanatology
Explores the personal attitudes and experiences of death, including near death experiences, death in the arts and media, and the business of the funeral industry.
Learning From Death And Dying
Explores how to understand the role of death and dying, and grief and bereavement in a modern society. Practical insights and powerful life lessons, through inspirational and personal narratives, assists in the study by providing support to individuals facing or coping with death and will better prepare them to confront their own mortality.
Mourning, Grief, And Bereavement (Reactions and Responses to Death)
Examines the reactions and responses to death from a variety of perspectives. Influencing factors of grief and anticipated responses to death as determined by an individuals relationship to the deceased. Factors such as age, gender, and manner of death are also considered.
Ethical, Legal, and Spiritual Concerns
Provides an overview of issues in palliative care. Cultural influences of death and dying in various life stages are examined.
Orientation to Palliative Care
Provides an overview of coping with death, dying, and grief. The focus provides a review of core concepts of palliative care, the interdisciplinary team, hospice care, current approaches to care, roles, issues, and expectations to those working in palliative care. It also identifies which resources are available in home and hospice settings.
Palliative Care Communications
Focuses on working with the terminally patient and their families. It explores the basic process and steps of effective communication, factors influencing personal and cultural attitudes, identifying basic verbal and non-verbal communication, techniques used to establish a trusting relationship and how to identify ineffective communication.
Coping With Death (Counselling, Support Groups, and Alternative Therapies)
Explores various coping strategies for individuals experiencing grief and loss through the mourning process, counselling theories, and approaches to identify groups and organizations dedicated to grief and bereavement issues. It speaks on emerging trends such as art therapy, journaling, and online communities.
Comfort Measures provides an emphasis placed on promoting a realistic independence for the terminally ill patient based on their support systems.