Cole Imperi

Thanatologist, chaplain, deathworker, author, and entrepreneur Cole Imperi is one of America’s leading experts on death, dying, and grief. A triple-certified thanatologist, someone who studies death and dying, Imperi is the Founder of the School of American Thanatology, which serves students from 20 countries across 12 time zones. She has pioneered the fields of Thanabotany™, Deathwork™ (including Death Championing), and developed concepts such as Shadowloss™, Shadowlight™, and Dremains™. She has also served as President of the Historic Linden Grove Cemetery & Arboretum and works with death-related businesses through her consulting firm Doth, while publishing death and loss-related resources.

Before leading as a thought leader and entrepreneur, Imperi worked in various capacities contributing richly to her field. These roles included chaplain-thanatologist in one of America’s 25 largest jails, mortuary college professor, crematory operator, hospice volunteer, and grief support group leader for children and adults. She has also been a part of a green burial startup and served on its board.

Imperi’s upcoming book, "A Guide to Your Grief," is set to be released on October 1, 2024. She has delivered keynotes and talks, notably at the American Library Association Conference and a TEDx event at Wartburg College titled "Shadowloss: Shedding Light on Our Hidden Grief." Imperi also presented "Shadowloss: Managing Unprecedented Times of Loss and Grief" at Design for America and discussed Thanatology at Creative Mornings. Her profound insights into death, grief, and loss emphasize the importance of cultivating empathy and resilience to navigate through adversity.