Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from School of American Thanatology, School, 3756 W Avenue 40, Suite K #488, Los Angeles, CA.
12/21/2025
A few updates on the upcoming Integrative Thanatology program starting next month! We've added one final Informational Session on Saturday, January 10 at 10am PT/1pm ET. You can register for that here: https://americanthanatology.com/integrative-thanatology
And we are excited to welcome back lots of teaching faculty, as well as introduce you to some new voices. A few more faculty announcements to come!
10/16/2025
Please join us at one of our three upcoming information sessions about the Integrative Thanatology program. These sessions are free to attend and will run about one hour. They are designed to answer questions you may have about the program and to provide an opportunity to meet with who will facilitate the program. (Additional faculty may attend sessions!) Session one is nearly full. To sign up please visit americanthanatology.com/integrative-thanatology
09/24/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The School of American Thanatology Partners with the Art of Dying Institute to Lead the Integrative Thanatology Certification Program
LOS ANGELES — September 24, 2025 — The School of American Thanatology (SAT) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Art of Dying Institute (AODI), uniting two pioneering institutions in modern thanatology. Together, they will carry forward the Integrative Thanatology Program—a groundbreaking program that has contributed to the field for more than a decade.
The program will now be directed by Cole Imperi, Founder of the School of American Thanatology, a triple-credentialed thanatologist and alumna of the Art of Dying Institute. Imperi also played a role in shaping the program ten years ago, developing its original branding—a rare full-circle moment that underscores the depth of connection between these two institutions.
"It feels like returning home," Imperi shared. "The Integrative Thanatology Program shaped me as a student and practitioner. To now lead it forward—drawing on both my experience as an alumna and my work at the School of American Thanatology—is deeply meaningful. I’m honored to continue the legacy of AODI and expand it for a new generation of students worldwide."
The partnership was made possible through close collaboration between Ralph White and Tom Valente, co-founders of the Art of Dying Institute, and Cole Imperi. Their shared vision has been to both honor the roots of the program and ensure its continued relevance as the field of thanatology expands globally.
"This program has always been about weaving together the practical and the spiritual, the ancient and the contemporary," said White. "Cole brings both vision and heart, and we’re excited for what lies ahead."
Since its founding in 2020, the School of American Thanatology has grown to serve learners in 30 countries making it one of the most globally connected thanatology schools in the world.
Looking ahead, the School will be announcing continuing education pre-approval updates, teaching faculty, and program dates in the coming months. Meanwhile, enrollment for the 2026 cohort is now open for early birds, offering students the opportunity to join this landmark program early at a pivotal moment in its history.
Sign up to receive additional information here: americanthanatology.com/integrative-thanatology
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF AMERICAN THANATOLOGY
The School of American Thanatology provides inclusive and accessible educational opportunities in and adjacent to the fields of thanatology, deathwork, and thanabotany while also fostering independent research and writing opportunities for our community.
www.americanthanatology.com
ABOUT THE ART OF DYING INSTITUTE
The Art of Dying Institute is dedicated to fostering an engaged community of practitioners; researchers & scholars; educators; front-line innovators; partners; and donors to address the need for a cultural awakening around the theme of death and our mortality, how we die and the consequences for how we live.
https://www.artofdying.org/
MEDIA CONTACT
[email protected]
08/30/2025
Thanabee • News from the School Of American Thanatology - Our latest issue of the Thanabee is out. This month there's an extended interview with alumni Kness, information about the next Death Companioning Cohort (Starts September 13) and more. https://mailchi.mp/imperi/thanabee023
08/04/2025
Please join Cohort 13 at the School of American Thanatology! If you are feeling called towards Deathwork and are seeking guidance around the scope of work, this program is for you. Live lectures take place on Saturdays from 12-2pm ET and are recorded. Reading material, resources, and documentation are all provided in one spot making navigation seamless. Cohort 13 runs September 13 through November 1, and is led by Cole Imperi Please share with your network!
https://school.americanthanatology.com/courses/death-companioning-community-crash-course-s13
07/24/2025
Read the latest from the School here: https://mailchi.mp/imperi/thanabee022 We've got an announcement about the next cohort of the Death Companioning Community Crash Course, alumni news, and more. Thanks for reading!
03/27/2025
A new issue of the Thanabee is out! • This is news from the School Of American Thanatology. In this issue you'll find a free thanabotanical tool for download (all about the daisy), details on Cohort 12 of the Death Companioning Course, info about our (free for alumni) community hours/coworking sessions, our online community's new home (The Grove), and in person trainings coming up in London, ON, Canada this May. More here: - https://mailchi.mp/imperi/thanabee021
03/12/2025
Current Student or Alumni? Join us for Write Ins: Community Hours taking place on Fridays from 1-2pm PT. It's a time to co-work, write, and spend time together.
2025 Dates for Write Ins: Community Hours — School of American Thanatology Need a little accountability, focus, and community in your writing or work? Join us for Write-Ins: Community Hours , a free, one-hour co-working session for students and alumni of the School of American Thanatology.
Calling all deathworkers! We have two spots left in the 11th cohort of the Death Companioning Community Crash Course. Modules open this weekend, but the first lecture isn't until Saturday, January 25. Full details about the course and what is covered is available on the School's website, but this course is fully updated for 2025 and integrates the LA Wildfires, bird flu, covid, and other disasters/crises.
A personal note from Cole: The impact of the Los Angeles Wildfires is far reaching and life changing. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share applicable skills related to grief and loss informed by community and rooted in secularity. My home is ok with only minor smoke damage. We were displaced and experienced multiple fire evacuations. If you could please share this post, I would appreciate it. I have two open spots left in this cohort and I hope we find the people it's meant for. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Take care of yourselves, and thank you for caring. Keep your grief moving.
01/07/2025
New Year, New Calendar! Here's a look at our school seasons for 2025, along with our winter season preview. Join us for new classes in Thanabotany (Press & Preserve), our 11th cohort (and 5th year!) of the Death Companioning Community Crash Course, or our forthcoming Thanatology 101 class. We'll also be offering write-ins on Fridays via Zoom for any alumni. We're also so excited to celebrate our 5th birthday in March!
