1. a person who studies death, dying, and bereavement
Usage: academic; medical

Examples

• The thanatologist conducted research on grief counseling techniques.
• As a thanatologist, she specialized in helping families cope with terminal illness.
• The hospital hired a thanatologist to develop their end-of-life care program.
• The thanatologist’s book explored cultural attitudes toward death and dying.
• Medical students attended the thanatologist’s lecture on palliative care.
• The thanatologist worked closely with hospice workers and grief counselors.