Death, Society, and Human Experience

By Robert Kastenbaum

Death, Society, and Human Experience is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of death, dying, and bereavement within social, cultural, psychological, and ethical contexts. Published by Routledge, this widely respected text examines how individuals and societies understand mortality and respond to end-of-life experiences.

Blending theory, research, and real-world case studies, the book addresses topics such as cultural attitudes toward death, hospice and palliative care, grief and mourning, medical ethics, legal issues, suicide, and the impact of death across the lifespan. It is extensively used in thanatology, psychology, sociology, nursing, social work, and health sciences programs.

What This Book Does

This book equips readers with a nuanced understanding of death as both a personal and social experience, helping them critically engage with end-of-life issues, bereavement processes, and the ethical challenges surrounding death and dying.

Key Features

• Interdisciplinary coverage of death, dying, and bereavement
• Strong integration of social, psychological, and cultural perspectives
• Discussion of hospice, palliative care, and end-of-life decision-making
• Coverage of suicide, trauma, and sudden death
• Case studies and examples that connect theory to real-world experience

Who Should Use This Book?

• Students of psychology, sociology, and thanatology
• Nursing, social work, and healthcare students
• Educators teaching death and dying or human development courses
• Hospice, palliative care, and counseling professionals
• Readers seeking a deeper understanding of mortality and loss

Why It’s Essential

• One of the most widely adopted textbooks on death and dying
• Balances academic rigor with human-centered insight
• Encourages thoughtful discussion of complex ethical and emotional issues
• Trusted across health, social science, and humanities disciplines

A foundational text for understanding death as a human, social, and cultural experience.
Order today from BooksGoat and deepen your understanding of life, loss, and meaning.

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9781138292406
• Author: Robert Kastenbaum
• Publisher: Routledge
• Edition: Latest Edition
• Format: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Availability: In Stock
• Price: $— (Free Shipping)

Table of Contents (Highlights)

• Perspectives on Death and Dying
• Cultural and Social Meanings of Death
• Dying, Hospice, and Palliative Care
• Ethical and Legal Issues at End of Life
• Grief, Mourning, and Bereavement
• Suicide and Traumatic Death
• Death Across the Lifespan

FAQs

• Is this book suitable for death and dying courses?
  Yes. It is widely adopted in thanatology, psychology, sociology, nursing, and social work programs.
• Does it address hospice and palliative care?
  Yes. It includes dedicated discussion of end-of-life care and decision-making.
• Is it accessible to non-medical students?
  Yes. The writing is interdisciplinary and accessible while remaining academically rigorous.