In 1970s Japan, death was largely a taboo topic until Alfons Deeken, a German philosopher, priest, and professor, introduced death education and addressed grief. While not universally embraced, his work inspired movements that advanced hospices and encouraged bereavement sharing.This book explores how Deeken and three Japanese practitioners adopted and applied his approach, tracing the development of death education in Japan. It reflects on pivotal moments in the history of thanatology and grief studies and examines the current state of grief support and end-of-life care.Ideal for researchers in thanatology, grief, philosophy, sociology, end-of-life care, and Christianity, as well as practitioners and educators, the book offers insight into Japan's unique experience of confronting death. Readers will gain a deeper insight to how death education can transform personal, academic, and community approaches to life, loss, and grieving.
