Sociological Approach To Thanatology

The sociological approach to thanatology includes four theories: structural-functional, conflict, social exchange, and symbolic interaction theory.

Structural-functional

Emile Durkheim Sociology- study of social facts, external to the individual and limit what the individual can do, i.e. language, religion, money-exchange systems Group behavior(funerals, memorials) console each other, helps to be together and share grief Society is in balance/equilibrium Death creates jobs (funeral home, job vacancy left by death) Interested in results of social interaction and consequences of death-related behavior Eufunctional (positive), dysfunctional (negative), manifest (intended), latent (unintended) Positive, unintended= funeral becomes a family reunion
How are death-related behaviors influenced by audiences at funerals? How do families use the funeral to demonstrate status? What influence does location of the funeral have on the meaning of the funeralization process? How does the size of the audience of the funeral convey meaning to the bereaved and attribute importance of the life of the deceased?

The top causes of death in 1900 compared to 2006 is different in that advancements in science and medicine have prevented deaths from pneumonia, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases. These were the number one, two, and four causes in 1900; in 2006 they were either lower on the list (pneumonia #8) or not on the list at all. The top two causes in 2006 are chronic diseases, heart disease and cancer, that often involve a prolonged death as opposed to a sudden one. Also, factors that contribute to rates of heart disease and cancer, such as smoking, are preventable and avoidable, making them problems of society and not merely the