Which field studies death and its implications?

Thanatology is the specific field that focuses on the study of death, including its implications, processes, and the impact it has on individuals and society. This discipline encompasses various aspects, such as the psychological responses to death, mourning practices, ethical considerations surrounding end-of-life care, and the socio-cultural contexts of dying. Thanatologists seek to better understand how people cope with the reality of death, the grieving process, and the ways in which different cultures view death.

Other fields, while they may touch on aspects of death, do not specifically focus on its study and implications. For instance, psychology examines the mental processes and behaviors of individuals, which can include reactions to death, but it is not solely dedicated to the study of death itself. Pathology is concerned with the study of diseases and their effects, often involving the examination of bodily tissues to diagnose conditions, while forensics applies scientific techniques to solve crimes, which may involve analyzing causes of death but is primarily focused on legal and investigative aspects rather than the broader implications of death.