Questions? Start Here.

The Center for Death Education provides affordable, live online classes about death, dying, grief, and end-of-life care. Learners can ask questions, join meaningful conversations, and learn directly from thanatologists and other qualified professionals.

Our classes draw on research and professional knowledge from fields such as thanatology, psychology, gerontology, philosophy, sociology, and healthcare. Our goal is to make this information clear, practical, and accessible.

Classes are educational and are not support groups or substitutes for therapy, legal counsel, or medical care. If you need personal support, please consult an appropriate licensed professional or visit our Resources page.

Death is part of life, yet many of us receive little guidance for understanding it or talking about it. Death education can help you reflect on past experiences, prepare for future challenges, and approach difficult conversations with greater knowledge and confidence.

It can also broaden perspective, build empathy, and help you better support family members, friends, or the people you serve professionally. Many learners find that informed, open conversation makes these topics feel less isolating and more manageable.

Thanatology is the study of death, dying, grief, and loss. It considers the physical, emotional, social, cultural, ethical, and practical dimensions of these experiences.

A thanatologist is a professional with specialized education or training in this field. Thanatologists may work in education, healthcare, counseling, research, bereavement support, or end-of-life care.

Our instructors are thanatologists and other qualified professionals whose education and experience support thoughtful, evidence-informed learning. Their backgrounds include thanatology, healthcare, psychology, grief support, education, and related fields.

Learn more about them on our About Us page.

Our live online classes are open to people age 18 and older who want to learn about death, dying, grief, loss, and end-of-life care. Learners from all backgrounds, cultures, professions, and belief systems are welcome.

You may participate in the conversation or simply listen. Cameras are optional, and classes are not recorded. We want learners to engage at a level that feels comfortable.

Classes are educational and are not substitutes for therapy, legal counsel, or medical care. If you are coping with a difficult personal experience, please consult an appropriate licensed professional or visit our Resources page.

No previous education or professional experience is required unless a class description says otherwise. Our classes welcome members of the public as well as professionals who want to deepen their knowledge.

Every class includes a Certificate of Completion showing the Professional Development Hours earned. We do not issue Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Requirements vary, so please ask your employer, school district, professional association, or licensing board whether it will accept the hours before registering.

Unless a class description states otherwise, you may take our classes in any order. Choose the topics that best match your interests, experiences, or professional goals.

Most classes are approximately 90 minutes and include time for questions and discussion.

Classes are held live online and usually last about 90 minutes. They combine instructor-led learning with opportunities for questions and discussion.

Class sizes are limited to support meaningful interaction. Participation is encouraged but never required, cameras are optional, and sessions are not recorded.

After registering, you will receive an email confirming your enrollment. We will send the meeting link approximately two days before the scheduled class start time.

You can join from a computer, tablet, or phone. During class, you may participate by speaking or using the chat. Camera use is optional.

Our classes are designed to foster thoughtful and honest conversations about death, dying, and grief. Recording can change the way people participate and make learners less comfortable speaking openly about sensitive topics.

• Privacy concerns: Learners may be less comfortable asking questions or sharing experiences when they know they are being recorded.
• Reduced engagement: Recording can discourage active participation and make discussion feel less natural.
• Passive learning: The live format encourages learners to be present, reflect, and participate rather than planning to watch later.
• Potential misuse: Recordings can be copied, edited, or shared outside the class without the full context of the conversation.

By not recording classes, we support a more comfortable, engaged learning environment where learners can explore difficult questions and participate at their own comfort level.

You will need a reliable internet connection and a computer, tablet, or phone with working audio. A microphone is helpful if you would like to speak during the discussion. Camera use is optional.

Meeting links are normally sent approximately two days before the scheduled class start time. If you do not see the message, check your spam or junk folder. If the link is still missing, please contact us so we can help.

We welcome different experiences, cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. Learners may speak, use the chat, or simply listen, and cameras are optional. Our instructors encourage thoughtful conversation while respecting each person’s comfort level and boundaries. Classes are not recorded.

Plans change, and we understand. To receive a full refund, contact us at least 48 hours before the class or service begins. Please send the request from the email address used to register.

If you cancel less than 48 hours before the start time, we can provide a credit toward another class taken within three months. Registrations for learners who do not attend and do not provide advance notice are not eligible for a refund or credit.