Capitalism Over Care? Navigating Financial, Workplace, and Legal Challenges After a Suicide Death

• In Event: Revitalizing the Sociology of Suicide

Abstract

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 49,000 people dying by suicide in 2023 (CDC 2025). Thousands more, suicide loss survivors, are impacted and experience bereavement as a result of these deaths. Understanding the experiences of suicide loss survivors is a form of suicide prevention in itself, as they are more likely to go on to die by suicide or engage in unhealthy/risky behaviors (Shields et al. 2017). Furthermore, this study seeks to understand logistical, legal, and financial challenges that suicide loss survivors encounter after the deaths of their loved one and how resources may be improved to support them after this traumatic loss.

Despite the importance of understanding suicide bereavement and support, there are key gaps in the existing literature. First, this topic is understudied sociologically. The existing literature is mainly from the realms of psychology, social work, and public health. Second, women are more likely to participate in these studies than men (Ross et al. 2021). In particular, this body of work has “drastically over-represented white, well-educated and older women with extensive treatment exposures, leaving a tremendous knowledge gap on many important suicide bereaved constituencies in society” (Feigelman et al 2024:15). By diversifying the study sample, this project aims to understand how bereavement and access to resources may vary by race, gender, and circumstances surrounding a suicide death.

Author

• Katherine Johnson, Coastal Carolina University