Welcome:

Thanatology

A six-part, online program in conscious living

and dying, and caring for the dying and bereaved
 

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Mission of the Thanatology Certificate Program

Our goal is to assist Thanatology Certificate Program students in achieving, aside from personal benefit, an ability to provide appropriate information, guidance and comfort to others as a coach and guide in the process of conscious living and dying. In the aftermath of death, a trained thanatologist may also provide guidance and comfort to the survivors of the deceased.  Students may also enroll in any single course, thus allowing people to explore their areas of deepest interest.

Thanatology Program Enrollment Steps

    1. We recommend that you read program information and course descriptions in the program outline below, and also look at some of the readings offered in our Online Library, to get a sense of how this program or a particular course would meet your needs.

    Program Outline: Courses and Resources

    in the Online Thanatology Program:
     

Thanatology 502X:
Evidence of the
Afterlife

 

Enrollment Application
for single course

 

 

A study and assessment of Threshold-of-Death Experiences and Near-Death Experiences as reported from cultures throughout the world. A survey of descriptions of After-Death Communications reported in the spiritual and thanatological traditions of various cultures and the literature of Near-Death Experiences and mediumistic communications. Corroboration from para-psychological research.

 

 

Thanatology 504X:

Conscious Living and Dying

 

 

Enrollment Application
for single course

 

A consideration of the Socratic-Platonic injunction to "Practice Dying" within the context of Philosophy as the Love of Wisdom and living a mindful, examined life incorporating the practice of ethical, caring behavior. An East-West perspective on ethics and human values as guides for truly conscious and insightful living and dying. Perspectives of "Books of the Dead" and other philosophical and spiritual teachings on afterlife states and insights into how to die well. A consideration of the concept of karma and rebirth. Philosophical implications of testimonies from Near-Death Experiences.

  • Required Texts and Documents:

 

Thanatology 506X:

Human Relations in Conscious Living and Dying

Enrollment Application
for single course

 

How does one behave in the presence of death - personally, with the dying, the family, relatives, friends, medical persons, the general public? How should one behave? Issues involving inheritance, wills, insurance, bequests, living memorials, funerals and disposition of the body. How to summon loving kindness in the midst of crisis and pain.

  • Required Textbooks:

    Rando, Therese A., GRIEF, DYING, AND DEATH: CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR CAREGIVERS, Champaigne, Illinois: Research Press, 1984.

    Sapienza. Jerral, URGENT WHISPERS: CARE OF THE DYING (A Personal Reference Manual for Friends and Family Assisting a Loved One at the End of life), Eugene, Oregon: Life Learning Excellence, 2002.

 

Thanatology 508X:

Bereavement and the Transformative
Power of Good Grief

 

Enrollment Application
for single course

 

Knowledge and techniques for dealing with grief and bereavement. Types of loss and bereavement; coping strategies. Transformation and empowerment through the exercise of good grief.

  • Required Texts:

    From the perspective of the caregiver FOR the person who has lost:

    Rando, Therese A., GRIEF, DYING, AND DEATH: CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR CAREGIVERS, Champaign, Illinois: Research Press,1984.

    And from the perspective of the person who has lost:

    Rando, Therese A.,, HOW TO GO ON LIVING WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE DIES, New York: Bantam Books, 1988.

    Moody, Raymond A.,, and Dianne Arcangel, LIFE AFTER LOSS, CONQUERING GRIEF AND FINDING HOPE, New York: Harper Collins, 2002.

 

 

Thanatology 510X:
Thanatological Guidance and Care

 

Enrollment Application
for single course

 

Training in the process and techniques of providing guidance and care to those in the process of dying. Understanding death. Contemplating death. Expecting death. Facing death. Undergoing death. Types of death. The role of the caregiver. Taking care of the caregiver.

    Kough-Hainer, Mo. What About Me? - A Guide for Caregivers.

    (The above listed book is available from Mo Kough-Hainer at P.O. Box 1857, Ojai, CA 93024 or moq@ojai.net for $4.50 including tax and shipping.)

 

Thanatology 512X:

Electives in the field of Thanatology

 

 

 

 

Electives may be fulfilled through the following methods, when appropriate and upon approval:

  • transfer credit;
  • prior life experience under the conditions set forth by the California Education Code as administered by the BPPVE;
  • elective courses offered in the Thanatology Certificate Program and Spiritual Ministry Certificate Program (see descriptions below);
  • conferences-seminars presented by World University or other approved learning sources;
  • special individual or collaborative learning projects under the direction of a mentor;
  • appropriate, documented work with persons in the dying process.

To arrange electives please contact John Griffin, Officer in Charge of Vocational Programs
 

 

Spiritual Ministry 580:
Communication Skills for Emotional Support

 

Enrollment Application
for single course

 

Admission Application for Thanatology
Vocational Certificate
Program

 

 

A structured, intensive introduction to the skills involved in communicating more consciously, cooperatively, compassionately and successfully. We will give special attention to the task of providing emotional support through deep acknowledgment of another person's experience.

THIS PRACTICE-ORIENTED COURSE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ANOTHER PERSON, YOUR "PRACTICE PARTNER."  Your Practice Partner can be anyone who enrolls for this class, or anyone you know who agrees to read the primary textbook and do the exercises with you on a weekly basis.

  • Required Text:  Rivers, Dennis.  The Seven Challenges: A Workbook and Reader About Communicating More Cooperatively.  Available free of charge as an Adobe PDF file (click here to download).   Also available as a paperback for $14 plus shipping (click here to order)
     

 

 Course Resources:

 

TUITION

Please see Tuition Section of Catalog