The purpose of the network is to develop and convey interdisciplinary perspectives and knowledge about death, and to create spaces for networking and the exchange of knowledge.
Medical ways of thinking and approaches to death are common today. We understand the end of life, death and sorrow as composite phenomena that require interdisciplinary research. Internationally the terms End of life studies, Death studies and Thanatology are used regarding scientific studies of the many sides of death. The participants in the network represent various disciplines such as the history of ideas, philosophy, medicine and health sciences, cultural studies, literary studies, psychology, psychosocial studies, sociology and theology.
The first interdisciplinary seminar with attendants from the four Nordic countries was held in Oslo in 2016. In 2024 the DERK/C network is comprised of around 60 participants.