Cole Imperi
Triple-certified thanatologist, author, educator, chaplain, deathworker, and founder of the School of American Thanatology
 
 

Our lives are enriched when we can nurture our relationship with death, dying, grief & loss.

 
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Latest Projects and Resources

Cole’s mission is to help people explore & nurture their relationship with death, dying, grief and loss so that they can get the most out of life. Read about her latest projects and resources that contribute to her life’s work.

 
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Subscribe to Cole’s Latest Column

Grief or Madness is a column about life, through the lens of grief. What if grief is a unifying, additive experience that enhances both the heart and soul of life? Read past articles and subscribe to get this column sent to your inbox for free.

 
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A Guide To Your Grief

Coming in the Autumn of 2024, “A Guide To Your Grief” is about normalizing the grief experience for young readers, aged 10-14, and offering ways to help them get through it. To be published by Kids Can Press!

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“The Future Of” Documentary Series, Only on Netflix

What if we could look into the future to see how every aspect of our daily lives –from raising pets to what we eat – will be impacted by technology?

Follow Cole through the “Life After Death” episode—more information here.

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TedX Talk: Shadowloss

When we experience a loss of something—like a divorce, infertility, getting fired, etc.—it can feel the same as if we had a loss of someone. Sometimes worse because the hidden grief that follows leaves us feeling isolated. Shadowloss™, is a term coined by Cole that gives us the language to better identify, label, and process our own life experiences.

 
 

Let’s Talk About Death

Cole has changed the way we talk about death by introducing new terms, concepts, and even fields of study. She has made it possible for curious spirits to explore themes of death, dying, grief, and loss in a safe, empathetic, gentle way. Explore at your own pace.

  • Thanatology

    Thanatology

    The study of death & dying—how old is it? where did it originate? And why is it important for people to study it?

    Find Out

  • Shadowloss

    Shadowloss

    How to talk about, heal, and support others when there is a loss of something—not someone.

    Learn More

  • Thanabotany

    Thanabotany

    This new field explores how plants are used in thanatology and how they bring meaning to the grieving process and more.

    Learn More

  • Deathwork

    Deathwork

    Discover what it takes to pursue a career as a deathworker and why Cole believes that Deathwork is Activism.

    Learn More