Thanatology is the study of grief, bereavement, death and dying. This growing discipline explores the grieving process, ethical issues surrounding death and dying, cultural, gender and societal attitudes towards death, the issues facing both the dying and the bereaved, and the place of ritual and memorialization.

Many Thanatology students find that ministering to others through grief or compassionate counselling is rewarding, benefiting the recipient through a difficult period in their life. The program will equip students with the knowledge and skills for assisting those facing or coping with grief and death from the perspective of both the dying and the bereaved. The course will also direct students toward biblical and spiritual resources in grief and bereavement.

Certification

Tyndale’s graduates in Pastoral Thanatology will be eligible to be certified by the Canadian Council of Professional Certification (Global) as a Certified Thanatologist Pastoral Specialist (CTPS). This certification requires a minimum of a Master’s degree with bible, theology and a minimum of six courses in thanatology plus an internship of 240 hrs.