A Brief History of Death

Death is a subject of enduring interest in every culture in the world. The act of death itself and the rituals surrounding it vary enormously and shed a fascinating light on the cultures of which they are a part. Douglas J. Davies, internationally acknowledged as one of the leading experts in this field, tackles some of the most significant aspects of death the act of dying, grieving, burial, artistic interpretations of death, places of memory, the fear of death, and disasters/tragedies and weaves them into a compelling story about our changing attitudes to dying.

Douglas J. Davies is a Professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University.