title: The organization of thanatology.
abstract: This article explores, using Wilensky's Model of Professionalization, the emergence of professional organizations within the thanatology. The authors review the history of four organizations--The Foundation of Thanatology, Ars Moriendi, The Forum for Death Education and Counseling (now the Association for Death Education and Counseling: A Thanatology Organization [ADEC]), and The International Work Group on Death, Dying, and Bereavement (IWG). The authors speculate on some of the reasons that the first two failed while IWG and ADEC remain viable-while noting challenges that these remaining thanatological organizations will experience as they seek to continue to stay relevant.
authors.affiliation: The College of New Rochelle, New York 10805, USA. KnDok@aol.com
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Doka
authors.forename: E Neil
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Heflin-Wells
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Lula M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Redmond
authors.forename: Sherry R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Schachter
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D001601:Bereavement; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012958:Societies, Scientific / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013795:Thanatology