Difficult Death, Dying and the Dead in Media and Culture

Coleclough, Sharon; Michael-Fox, Bethan and Visser, Renske eds. (2024). Difficult Death, Dying and the Dead in Media and Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

The collection defines an understanding of ‘difficult death’ and examines the differences between death, dying and the dead, as well as exploring the ethical challenges of researching death in mediated form. Published by and available from Palgrave Macmillan.

Men and Loss: New Perspectives on Bereavement, Grief and Masculinity

Jones, Kerry and Robb, Martin eds. (2024). Men and Loss: New Perspectives on Bereavement, Grief and Masculinity. London: Routledge. 

This important book draws together new research and theories about bereavement, on the one hand, and men and masculinities on the other, to increase our understanding of men’s experience of loss and contribute towards improving support services for men following bereavement. Published by and available from Routledge

Critical Approaches to Death, Dying and Bereavement

Borgstrom, Erica and Visser, Renske. (2025) Critical Approaches to Death, Dying and Bereavement. London: Routledge.

The book looks at the complex ways in which death and dying are managed, from the political level down to end of life care, and the inequalities that surround and impact experiences of death, dying and bereavement. Published by and available from Routledge.

Narratives of Covid: Loss, dying, death and grief during Covid-19

Borgstrom, Erica and Mallon, Sharon eds. (2021). Narratives of Covid-19: Loss, dying and grief during Covid-19. The Open University.

In this book, narrative responses in the form of essays, poems, and reflections from Open University students, staff, and alumni across the UK and beyond are brought together, to document a powerful reflection of the impact of COVID on individuals and wider society. Available as a free e-book from multiple locations, including ORO, or available for purchase on Amazon.

Managing Death: International Perspectives

Cox, Gerry R. and Thompson, Neil. (2022) Managing Death: International Perspectives. Springer.

By examining the social and institutional structures of various groups around the world, we provide an international framework for a better understanding of the study of dying, death, and bereavement. Published by and available from Springer.

Researching Death, Dying and Bereavement

Borgstrom, E., Ellis, J., and Woodthorpe K. (2018) Researching Death, Dying and Bereavement, London: Routledge

This book examines research on death, dying and bereavement, and how our approaches, perceptions and expectations shapes what we can know about the end of life. The contributions include personal and professional reflections, and practical suggestions for conducting research in this field. Published by and available from Routledge.

Understanding Reproductive Loss

A co-edited book exploring experiences of pregnancy loss, 'Understanding Reproductive Loss' was published in December 2012. It is edited by Dr Sarah Earle and Dr Carol Komaromy from the Open University Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies and Linda Layne, Hale Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences at Princeton University. Published by and available from Routledge.

The aftermath of death in the continuing lives of the living: extending ‘bereavement’ paradigms through family and relational perspectives

Ribbens McCarthy, Jane; Woodthorpe, Kate and Almack, Kathryn (2023). The aftermath of death in the continuing lives of the living: extending ‘bereavement’ paradigms through family and relational perspectives. Sociology, 57(6) pp. 1356–1374.

The role of anticipatory prescribing in care homes: identifying dying, complying with regulations and preventing death in hospital – a qualitative study

Teggi, Diana (2023). The role of anticipatory prescribing in care homes: identifying dying, complying with regulations and preventing death in hospital – a qualitative study. In: BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 13(1) A10-A11.

Do we need to decolonise bereavement studies?

Hamilton, Sukhbinder; Golding, Berenice and Ribbens McCarthy, Jane (2022). Do we need to decolonise bereavement studies? Bereavement: Journal of Grief and Responses to Death, 1(1)

Talking with the dead: spirit mediumship, affect and embodiment in Stoke-on-Trent

Pile, S., Bartolini, N. and MacKian, S. (2018) Talking with the dead: spirit mediumship, affect and embodiment in Stoke-on-Trent, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, p1-14

Talking about sex, relationships and intimacy

Blackburn, M. C, Chambers, L. Earle, S. Raeburn D and The Open University Sexuality Alliance (2017) Talking about sex, relationships and intimacy: new guidance and standards for nurses and other health and social care professionals working with young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 73(10), pp.2265-2267

Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine

Murphy, S. and Cacciatore, J. (2017) The psychological, social, and economic impact of stillbirth on families, Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 22 (3), pp.129–134