The denial of death thesis: sociological critique and implications for palliative care
Abstract
It has become commonplace to say that contemporary western society is ’deathdenying‘. This characterization, which sociologists have termed the ’denial of death thesis‘, first arose in the social science, psychological and clinical medical literature in the period between 1955 and 1985. During the same time period, the hospice and palliative care movements were developing and in part directed themselves against the perceived cultural denial of death in western society. While the denial of death has been taken for granted by the lay public as well as by clinicians, in the sociological literature it has been increasingly questioned. In this paper we use sociological critiques of the denial of death thesis to raise critical questions about the theory and practice of contemporary palliative care. In particular, we argue that the emphasis of palliative care should not be on extinguishing the denial of death but on the relief of suffering. Palliative Medicine 2004; 18: 121-128
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Some studies indicate that Western societies have tended to marginalize and medicalize death, leading to a culture of denial and avoidance.
“Some studies indicate that Western societies have tended to marginalize and medicalize death, leading to a culture of denial and avoidance (Gómez 2017;Zimmermann and Rodin 2004).”
From Lessons from Master Hongyi’s Experiences with Impermanence for Death Education (2024) · cites this paper as Zimmermann and Rodin 2004
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Cited by
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Acceptance of dying: A discourse analysis of palliative care literature
Zimmermann, C. (2012) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.02.047 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Self-citationSinclair, S. (2011) · Canadian Medical Association Journal · doi:10.1503/cmaj.100511 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Lessons from Master Hongyi’s Experiences with Impermanence for Death Education
Shi (Hsu-Feng Lee), F. (2024) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel15050528 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Some studies indicate that Western societies have tended to marginalize and medicalize death, leading to a culture of denial and avoid‑ ance (G ó mez 2017; Zimmermann and Rodin 2004).”
Background
- Authors
- Zimmermann, C., & Rodin, G.
- Affiliations
- University Health Network (CA)
- Venue
- Palliative Medicine
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2004-03
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 121-128
- ISSN
- 0269-2163 (ISSN-L)
- 1477-030X
- OpenAlex
- W2113449334
- Cited by
- 162
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 5.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Palliative Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
- Keywords
- death denial, palliative care, hospice care, sociology of death, suffering, end-of-life care
- MeSH terms
- Attitude to Death, Denial, Psychological, Humans, Palliative Care, Public Opinion, Thanatology
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