"This is a major exploration of conversations about death and loss between the social sciences, helping professions, and recent religious and spirituality discourses. The insights from these areas are used to explore meanings of death in two increasingly uncertain worlds - professional practice and Late Modernity. A book of enduring value for both academics and practitioners." Allan Kellehear, Centre for ... Read moreDeath & Society, University of Bath. "This is a book that could be used individually or within health and social care teams for discussion, and is relevant to social workers and health care practitioners alike... it is refreshing to find a book prepared to bring the often taboo subject of death into the 21st century." Margaret Surrey, Professional Social Work, June 2008 "In this beautifully written book, Margaret Holloway.....has managed to produce a text that is academic, practical and sensitive. I highly recommend this book to nursing students and practitioners." Nursing Standard, Vol 22: 45, 2008. "...the book provides a very useful overview for those wishing to develop a more integrated knowledge base for working with dying or bereaved people." Tony Walters, University of Bath "This book is welcome and timely, given the demographic changes associated with an ageing population and the social, ethical and philosophical questions that arise." Mortality journal, 2009 'The combination of thorough research, wide ranging theoretical perspectives and detailed examples from practice throughout the life course result in a fascinating and rewarding book that should appeal not only to those involved in palliative care but to health and social care professionals and academics across relevant disciplines.' Sociology of Health and Illness "This one, wonderful book is an extraordinary resource, offering a comprehensive summary of what we know and think about dying and bereavement. Moreover, it sensitively applies this as a way that practitioners will find both helpful and easy to access. This is an essential title for all who work with the dying and bereaved or who teach those who do." Kenneth J. Doka, Senior Consultant, The Hospice Foundation of America Show Less